The Chosen Lady

All women want to be "the chosen lady" who is admired, esteemed, and loved. We long to be noticed, to be loved and told we are beautiful. We work so very hard to look beautiful, to capture the attention of a handsome man so that he might ask us to be his chosen lady.

And low and behold, the years pass by and we find ourselves dedicated to little ones! What an honor, a privilege, a huge responsibility to mother a child. Some of us are fortunate to raise our own flesh and blood; children who were born of ourselves and our husbands. Others are also fortunate to have a huge heart and not only parent their own natural children but adopt children from another country as well.

I know of such a woman down south who's opened up her heart to adopt Ethiopian children..three to be exact. This goes beyond my expectations of being a mother. It redefines motherhood for me. It's hard enough to raise your natural children in the midst of all the unexpected events called life but reassuringly you know they're similar in emotional and physical make up as you and your husband. But, raising someone you don't have an inkling about emotionally or culturally is WOW love. It calls for major unconditional love that comes from somewhere other than yourself. It comes from the Creator.

I am following this growing family via the mother's blog. I am inspired to know the difficulties she has encountered and to see the strength God has instilled in her that goes beyond explanation. I see the faces of these children simply beaming with joy to be in her arms, to be with a family and to know they are safe. I see the love they've been given by her and her husband and marvel how much it speaks in their faces.

She truly is "The Chosen Lady" in many respects. She came to my mind today as I read 2 John today. John addresses this second letter to "the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth-and not I only, but all who know the truth..." Why did John address her (or the church figuratively) as the chosen lady? Because she (or this church) was living as one who obeyed God's command by walking in love. It was all over her. She loved her children and they reflected that love by loving in return.

I know my friend is loved in return. It's written all over her children's faces. And, they in turn will love others as she has shown them. I know it is her desire that her Ethiopian children will return to their country, full of her love but most importantly filled with the love of Christ and pour out that love to their own people. It will happen. She is God's chosen lady for these children. I'm privileged to watch from a distance and marvel at God's grace and mercy through her.