If you seek me, you will know me – if you seek me with all your heart.
Bleeding, battered bruised – left for dead along the street. She could barely utter a cry – though her stomach remained empty. No solace, no peace, she neither knew or had what she needed.
Slowly, they pulled back the carrier’s shade revealing her nakedness. Bathing in her own blood, neither washed nor swaddled, and her cord remained uncut. “Live!” they called out to her, and again, “Live!” She did not move or react.
How many had passed by? How long had she been positioned in the beautiful garden just on the edge of the path shaded by the trees? How long had she been untouched by human hands? Her parents, where were they? Did they simply run off? Did they hope she would pass from this life to the next? What were they thinking, not washing the afterbirth from her face? How could they leave her so exposed to the elements without even a blanket for warmth?
“Live!” They continued to call out to her as they slowly bent down to her side. Compassion flowed from their eyes filling this now sacred space where life was being drawn forth. With slow meticulous hands the search begins first across the head for any unseen injuries. Then, with practiced hands, they massage down her neck, along the spine to deepen the understanding behind this baby’s circumstances. Spreading out their reach they take hold of each limb, stretching it out to discover any further injury. “Live!”
Taking note of physical wholeness, they tenderly begin to warm her body. First cupping their hands around her head, then slowly, delicately they brought their fingers to around her face, cheeks followed by brow. They slowly massage her brow, stroke her cheeks urging the vessels to fill with warmth. They whisper with warm breath across her face, “Live!”
This newborn remains unresponsive. Still cool to touch and pooled by the remains of the placenta they slip their hands around her back wrapping both thumbs across the chest and shoulders, they lift up this lifeless body and draw her closely to their chest. “Live!”
Still no uttering of sound, yet they knew, they could feel, she was alive. Lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub…”Live!” Their strong, relaxed heartbeat stirred something within the babe. Lub-dub-ta, Lub-dub-ta, Lub-dub-ta…Slowly, they feel the stiffness beginning to recede and their hearts with excitement fill, lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub. Her muscles release, molding her body across their chest, lub-dub-ta, lub-dub-ta, lub-dub-ta.
Walking back, holding her tightly, they discuss how very good this little one is. They plan and purpose so many things for this little one. She is to be a beautifully cut diamond to reflect the sun. She will be given so much as their daughter. To them, she is very good.
Drawing a warm bath with rich medicinal salts, they lift her in. Taking a velvety cloth, they begin loosening the dried blood from her body. Caressing every inch of her body, her skin shifts to a dull purple from a mottled yellow. Continuing to massage the muscles and bend the joints the skin began to pulse with its own rhythm lightening to a rich reddish tan. “Live!”
Pouring over her, whispering their love over her, they hold her securely. Lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub…Lub-dub-ta, lub-dub-ta, lub-dub-ta… Sharing the warmth between their bodies, their minds continued to see into the future. Seeing how special, how precious, how purposed this little life is. Savoring each moment, they hold her tightly.
In the quietness, they see the future potential of this little one. Their deep, deep love for her flows over her. This love is not because of anything this little one has done or will do, this love is because of who they are. They love freely, perfectly and without condition. She is theirs.
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Early the next morning they greet this new little one. She is so very good. The sun lifts up over the mountains, casting light into her space warming first her forehead then sliding across her eyes lulling her into a relaxed wakeful state. She stirs to receive the sunlight on her face, then her shoulder. A light, warm breeze passes through. This place is so good. It is so beautiful. They love her so purely, so fully, so securely.
Watching her eyes crossing back and forth beneath her lids, they look on with amazement. She is so beautiful. Fluttering to openness for the first time her eyes struggle to focus on them. Tracing their features, she continues soak in all that is around her.
They would continually reach down to her, pouring over her. Feeding her all that she needed – day by day. Enough for each day.
—
As she matured into young adulthood, she stood tall and was beautiful. They taught her the ways of the Lord. Her eyes were opened to the richness of His love and followed God without holding back. Full of love and passion for the Lover of her soul. The One to whom all glory is to be given. He cleansed her from the ways of the world that she had come to live and He anointed her with oil. He showed her the plans and purposes that were set so long ago when they looked into her eyes. He provided for her talents and abilities that revealed His glory. All who saw her knew that He was with her. She was a well-cut diamond reflecting His light for all to see, from fine clothing, delicate jewels and a crown upon her head. She ate the choicest of foods, giving strength to her body. Beautiful.
Considered like royalty as she danced upon the streets. All came to know her because of the richness of her beauty that flowed from the inside out as He brought it forth. Many came to follow the God she reflected. She would teach them of His grace and His majesty. They too would come to honor this awesome God.
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As the days passes and people continued to be drawn to her beauty, she began to forget the source of her beauty. She became transfixed by the beauty of her own reflection and sought the attention of others. No longer content to sit with her God. She immersed herself in the jewels and the clothing – as though she had selected and cut each stone and designed every piece of clothing for her own glory. The fine food became her focus, as each flavor needed to enhance the next. Pouring herself into the next best thing – whether person, place or thing – she was the like the youngest son who became the prodigal, spoiling her wealth and riches – squandering them to the end.
The ones sitting at her feet to learn about this awesome God were sent away to the enemy. She gave them no hope, no honor and without mercy.
Then she began to build towers and signs – reflections of her worldly beauty – not the beauty enhanced by the Father. She would offer herself to anyone. Seeking after any joy, any pleasure, anything this world had that could satiate the needs within her heart – even if only for a moment. She sought control at any price – giving away everything to others – so that she could live the life she wanted to live – and be great among the nations.
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They would not let this happen. They would not stand by inactive to the end. No. The anger that burned within them – the righteous anger.
Every tower she built would come down. Every signpost bearing this false beauty would be destroyed. Every person receiving her affections that were due to the king would be put to shame because of her name.
And when all that she had built up is stripped down to nothing – the same nothing she had when they came across her body the first day they found her – shame would cover her – then – and only then would they restore her fortunes. True fortunes. For she is theirs. Their beautiful daughter whom they have yearned for and will surely have mercy upon. They poured out to her freely – not because of who she is – or who she could become – but because of who They are. They paid the penalty – They atoned for her sin – so that she would return to knowing Him.