She sits there...anxious, worried, hopeful...there in her chair at the Center that she attends. Expecting, but not quite believing that this time, her name will be called. This time, she'll receive a letter from her sponsor. She won't be left out this time. As each name is called, she becomes more and more discouraged. Her friends receive letters from their sponsors. The letters tell all about their sponsors' lives; they send pictures and stickers and pretty colored paper. She hangs her head. Their sponsors tell them that they love their sponsored children, they are happy to be their sponsors, they pray for them all the time.
'Does my sponsor ever pray for me?'
'Will my sponsor ever write to me?...ever?'
'I don't have anyone to tell me that they love me.'
'I'm unlovable.'
She sits there with a single tear running down her cheek, and then it happens...her name is called! She breathes in sharply, raises her head, not quite believing that she heard right. Yes! The teacher is looking at her, smiling, and holding a yellow envelope in her hand! She stands up and practically runs up to the front, and rushes back to her chair. She looks at the yellow envelope, looks at her name in pretty purple ink, almost not wanting to open it, but she just can't help it anymore. She carefully tears open the envelope, pulls out a single sheet of paper. It's a real letter...from her sponsor! But, wait! There's more! She looks inside, and sees flower stickers, a page from a coloring book, and there...at the bottom...a picture of her sponsor, smiling and waving, like she's looking straight at her.
She starts reading the letter, and joy bubbles up in her heart. Her sponsor tells her about her job, about the weather where she lives. Her sponsor talks about the cats that she has as pets. And, now, her heart is overflowing. Her sponsor tells her that she loves her, that she is valuable, she is important, and she prays for her each and every day.
She carefully puts everything back into the envelope, which she will take home with her when she leaves the Center today. She will read the letter over and over in the weeks and months to come. She will pray for her sponsor, that God will give her good health and blessings.
She looks forward to the next mail day at the Center. Maybe she will receive a bright blue envelope next time! With butterflies on it!
Have you written your sponsored child recently?
In His peaceful presence,
Sharon
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