Daddies Arms

The year was 2003 and I had heard about an orphanage in the hills of South Dakota. I couldn't imagine an orphanage right here in the states. I had to do something to help so I organized a group to go there. The plan was go one Saturday a month to have breakfast with the children then give a skit, have songs and tell a bible story. When I called to set it up I was surprised by the push back. They said they had people volunteer all the time but after only a few visits they get busy and never come back. They said it has really hurt these kids to get to know someone and then they never come back. So we promised to commit for a year and then when the year was up we would see if it is still working for both parties.

Our first Saturday was filled with excitement. We drove into the hills amazed by the beauty. As we pulled in there was a hug log building with a playground beside it. This was the kind of place that you would bring your family for a retreat but for the children inside it was home. We went in with a group of twenty from our church and introduced ourselves. They gave us a tour of the building to include the kitchen where a meal was prepared three times a day for the thirty children and the staff. We saw the staff room where we were told about how they took turns living on site with another couple to try to keep from burning out. Some of our group began cooking as they brought out the kids to meet us. They were ages five to eleven with the exception for a three year old boy that had no where else to go. Once they hit twelve they "age out" because it is a home for both boys and girls they didn't allow teens to live there.

Breakfast was ready and the kids were busy getting to their seats while we all served them. Once the food was to the table we all said a prayer and took our seats among the kids to visit. There I sat looking around a sea of little faces. They were all smiles today as they were given so much attention but I could imagine the ache they must feel living a life without the love of a parent. My kids all so little saw little difference between the orphaned kids and themselves. They sat with them and visited just as if we were at our own dinner table. And just like at home just as soon you get food on the table the kids were done and ready to be entertained. We quickly cleared the table and the teens from our group began their skit. Jason and I sat at one of the table with our chairs facing the show. I held our youngest at the time, Jackson who was just around a year old. I looked over at Jason as he reached down and picked up that three year old boy and put him on his lap so he could see. They began laughing and singing together. I couldn't take my eyes off of them. They were so beautiful together. As things began to quiet down so all the kids could hear a bible story the little boy reached his arms up over his head, reached back and wrapped his hands around Jason's neck. Jason nestled in for a snuggle as the little boy looked up with big brown eyes and said, "will you take me home and be my daddy?" Jason's eyes teared up immediately and he said, "I wish I could."

Today I can't help to see the same faces in a crowd. They look much different but they have the same sadness. The sadness of disappointment, hurt or rejection from someone who is supposed to love you and help you. Sometimes it's the little things in life that really burden our hearts and other times it's something that feels like you will never get over. Don't forget that all you have to do is wrap your arms around God's neck and say, "Will you be my daddy?" His response won't be, "I wish I could." Instead he says, "Yes! Come to me. I will give you rest." Have you called for your daddy today?

Romans 8:15
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”