The Best Gift

Last week was a big trial. It seems that when it rains it pours as far as troubles go. Being in pain all the time does not help matter much either...The situation with our little Hannah had been going downhill steadily for quite some time. She is one very damaged little girl after having been abandoned at such a young age, and it has made her an angry little three year old. I worked with her, and tried every thing I knew, and NOTHING seemed to work. I was so tired of the fight, that I contemplated giving up, but found that I just can't do that.One morning, after a particularly bad night, tears slid down my face as I contemplated another day with the out of control Hannah. As my heart was lifted to God in prayer, it seemed that God was telling me to have a little talk with Hannah and explain to her where she came from. So, I called her into my room and sat her down. I looked at her angry little face, and my courage nearly failed me. But, with God giving me courage, I started by telling her that 3 years ago, she was left all alone in the mud and dirt under a filthy bamboo hut by a mother that did not want her. I told her that she had no nice clothes, no good food, no toys, and nobody to really love her. I told her that Daddy and I took her into our home, we loved her, taught her about Jesus, gave her nice clothes, fed her good food, gave her toys and books, brothers and sisters who love her, and a good home. I explained to her that what she is telling me by disobeying all the time is that she did not want all those nice things, that she would rather live like a pig under a house in the dirt and filth. I ended up by saying that if she needs to see what it would be like to live like she used to, I would find a way to show her for one day. Trust me, I would never have said all this to a three year old if I did not feel that God was telling me to.When I finished talking, she looked down at the bed for a long time, very seriously. She looked up and asked, "No nice clothes?" I said "No, only dirty rags". Tears began to slide down her face. Silent tears. Finally, she looked up at me, and said "Mommy, I am really sorry." I pulled her close and we cried together for a while. That was the start of a marked difference in Hannah. She is not going to change completely over night, but I see her striving to do right now, at least most of the time. Isn't God good?It is clear to me that God has a plan for these children. He loves them so much. On Christmas day, He gave me the most wonderful gifts that I could have possibly imagined! Yes, all my gifts came from God, with the help of some great people. First of all, my family installed a brand new washing machine for me since I can no longer do laundry by hand, nor haul wet clothing up the hill from the neighbors house. Not only is it a real washing machine, but my guys put it up on blocks so that I can do laundry without ever having to bend over at all! It even has a filter so that our dirty creek water gets cleaned up before attempting to clean the clothing. That would have been more than enough to make my day, but it just got better...Yes, by Christmas evening, Jason was standing in my house with excited little sisters bouncing all over the place in their excitement over the arrival of their big brother. Jason has been gone for over a year, and was terribly missed by all of us. Right away, he put his talents into practice and the house rang with happy laughter and singing, along with many long, animated discussions.Today was amazing. We started out by making a schedule for the little girls, and then Jason put it into practice. School, work, play, chores...all were done with enthusiasm with big brother leading. The girls are happy, I am happy, Roy is happy, Travis is happy...need I say more? What a blessing children who follow the Lord can be. And Hannah...Keep praying for her, but Jason is a breath of fresh air with a strong back that has the energy to help me win her little heart for Jesus.