There are many firsts. Our first breath; first time we began to walk, first words, first time reading, first tests, first hand holding, first kiss. Firsts indicate beginnings. Firsts can be outstanding or firsts can be a night mare.
Some firsts should never happen.
For a time; my friend Lisa and I worked with girls who had been abused physically from the beginning of their lives. The youngest girl was a thirteen year old who looked and acted eighteen. She had known abuse in the worst kind of ways. She was always messing with her long beautiful hair; either twisting it, or rubbing it or combing it. That was probably a means of distraction from all the abuse she had endured.
Every girl Lisa and I worked with; had been sexually abused and were rescued from sex trafficking. Each one had been abused by her father, brother, uncle, neighbor, or friend of the family prior to being sex trafficked. All of these girls are as fearfully and wonderfully made, as you and me. Their firsts were not their lasts. They happened repeatedly.
Just as there are horrific firsts that no one should have to endure; there are also wonderful firsts, the first time we heard about Jesus, the first airplane ride, the first time we met our best friend, the first time we held a new born baby. All of these were amazing firsts from which we have wonderful memories.
Some of these previously sex trafficked girls, heard the gospel of Jesus for the first time; however many of them had heard about Jesus from their grandmothers. There had been good seeds planted somewhere in their heritage. Some of them knew a little about God’s Word and others knew nothing. Some could read and others could barely read.
One can understand their hesitancy to trust their Father God, as Creator and Redeemer. It is through kindness that we are led to repentance. We showered them with kindness on every hand. Some willingly received and others rejected the Word shared every Monday evening.
Here’s what Lisa and I realized. God’s Word will not return void. We may not have seen the fruit of our labors but it doesn’t mean there will never be any fruit. God can bring to their remembrance His Word at any given time. He is the First and the Last, the Great I Am. It is our prayer, that these girls will remember God’s Word and cling to it. It might be heaven before we see some of these girls again but it is our prayer that not one of them would perish without knowing Jesus as their Savior.
Prayer in Motion:
Lord, may I never refuse to experience all the amazing firsts You have for me. I want to walk with You and talk with You on a daily basis. May I be full of grace for those who have experienced firsts they would have never chosen on their own. Spirit of the Living God fall fresh on them and on me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Devotions In Motion 