Part 2} My Delight is in Her [Written on The King's Heart]

*here is the promised part 2 (for those who read that far in part 1).  It has been written for a long time...but not shared out of frustration - for try as I might I cannot put into words what the the hurting, crying plight or the laughing, joyful song of these women and girls have spoken to me about God's heart as King, Father, and Rescuer of souls. So I will stop trying to process it in one humble blog post and hit publish anyway.

If I could gaze into her eyes and know her story. 

All the blissful innocence of youth has left her. She is scarcely out of her teens and yet we pull our scarves over our heads and pray her alcoholic husband will cease beating her. 

Is she only eight? Her mature face confesses responsibility and worry beyond her years. She gathered her three little charges to her on the dusty ground and they shared a plate of steaming rice and lentils.

Her tummy is bulging. The day is rapidly approaching – soon she will be a mother. We knelt outside their home (its stooping roof of tarps and bamboo is too small to stand in upright). She is the first in her family to teach her child the way of Jesus.  

The wrinkled woman hobbled across the busy road as she leaned on her walking stick, her silver hair brushing about her face. Rushing vehicles and people dodged her at her slow pace. She eased herself onto the curb and rummaged through a bag…was it trash, was it her meal for the day? Has this been her life for eighty years? 

Energetic giggles sparkled like stars in the moonlit sky. The night service was over in the country village and the beaming circle of little girls were clapping, singing, and meticulously concentrating on what the English speaking strangers attempted to communicate. Does not every little girl thrive on attention and love?

A year ago her family’s home at the sand pit was destroyed and her desperate parents had no alternative but to send her to the boarding school. Now in the safety of its walls she is being nurtured and loved as she ushers in her precious teen years.  

The chance to study English is a privilege. Perhaps it will open doors for a promising education and livelihood.  But despite the prospect of a bright future – is that desire I see? Is this dazzling individual longing for something more?

The vehicles on the hectic Jaipur road didn’t seem to note her existence. Her make-shift cart held several sleeping children. Her shoulders slumped in exhaustion.  Desperately, her eldest daughter tugged on the sleeves and rapped on car windows begging for rupees. Was it another long day at work? Was her stomach twisting with hunger - or was her very soul crying for something to quench the thirst in her parched heart?

If I could gaze into her eyes and know her story. 

Each of these women have a story. I hear snippets – some that make me warm with happiness…and others that pierce with the pain and injustice. Some of their stories are surreal and vastly different from my own. And yet, I believe they are crying out for the same thing. They are yearning for the same healing, love, tenderness, value, and hope. 

As I gaze into their eyes is that really His I see? Is He weeping? Is He laughing? Is He comforting? He knows their story. He longs to robe each daughter in beauty, redemption, and righteousness. He paid the ultimate price for their rescue. He alone can turn rags into a royal diadem - no matter the filth, mistakes, social status, pain, joy…no matter the story behind their eyes. 

The heart of the King is to crown every precious daughter a princess.

You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. It will no longer be said to you, "Forsaken," nor to your land will it any longer be said, "Desolate"; But you will be called, "My delight is in her." Isaiah 62:3,4