By Jeffrey A. Beer Jr. –
A friend once told me a story about a high school student named Chris. Chris was seventeen years old, and the captain of his soccer team. Along with his younger sister, Chris was adopted from South America when he was ten years old. Chris also had noticeable scarring, and discoloration of his skin along one side of his face, arm, and body, but no one knew the origins of these wounds. One day, Chris’ younger sister was having friends over from school. She told Chris not to come around while her friends were over. Chris was hurt, and asked his sister, “Why don’t you want your friends to meet me?” Chris’ sister nervously looked at the ground and shuffled her feet. But then she looked up, pointed to the side of his face and said, “It’s because of your scars. I don’t want you to scare my friends.” Chris sighed, and said, “I think it’s time you learned about how I got these scars.” He proceeded to tell this story:
Seven years ago the two were living in South America, and Chris’ sister was just a baby. One night, Chris woke up, and smelled something burning. He went out, and saw a fire on the curtains. So he ran out of the house. But then Chris realized that his baby sister was still sleeping in her crib, so he ran back into the house to get her. By this time, the fire had already spread off of the curtains, onto the carpet, and was nearing the bottom of the stairs. Chris leapt over the fire, and up to the second floor. The smoke was so thick that he had to crawl around, looking for his sister’s room. When he finally found her, she was still asleep in her crib. Chris wrapped his sister in her blanket and made his way back towards the stairs, but when he reached them, they were already on fire. He cradled his sister in his arms, and started to make his way down the stairs. After a few steps, Chris’ pajamas started to melt into his skin, and then caught fire. Protecting his sister like precious cargo, he painstakingly made it to the front door, took one step out, and collapsed with his sister still in his arms. Neighbors dragged them away from the fire. The entire house was destroyed.
Chris told his sister, “That is how mom and dad died, and it is also how I got my scars. When you see these scars, know that I have them because I love you, and didn’t want to be separated from you. Know that I have them because I remembered you.” Chris’ sister gave him a big hug, and started kissing his scars. She told him she loved him, and from that day on was proud to tell her friends about her brother, and how he didn’t forget her.
This touching story is a wonderful example of the type of love that would lead someone to risk their own life to save another. When we were young, we probably all had someone we could count on to take care of us, whether it was a parent, grandparent or guardian. We took it for granted that this person would provide for us, and would be a source of comfort, safety and love. This feeling may have all but disappeared as we grew older; perhaps because we were hurt or because we sought our own independence. However, even when we feel alone; even when we feel like no one is looking out for us; even when we feel like everyone has forgotten about us, God never forgets. The first reading this Sunday from Isaiah is well known and poetic. It reminds us that even when our mother cannot be there for us, God is still there. As Americans, we value our independence. We like to feel like we don’t need anyone else. As we grow older, we start to worry more and more about our abilities. Maybe we wonder what college we’ll go to, or what career we’ll pursue. Perhaps, we worry about how we’ll afford a nice car, and then a big house. We start to become anxious about providing for our families. At some point, all of us experience insecurities as to our worth, what we have to offer, and how independent we truly are.
However, independence is not a virtue. As a matter of fact, to realize the promises God has made to us, we need to learn to depend on Him; to need Him, as a child relies on his mother. And even though our moms are not always perfect, and may have made some mistakes along the way, God never forgets. And he never leaves us needing. When we rely on ourselves and our own ability, we can become anxious and lonely. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us, “Your heavenly Father knows all that you need… So do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” God created us in His image. He loves us like he loves His son, Jesus. And he promises that he will never abandon us. I have found that when I feel inadequate, or like I don’t have everything I need to be successful and happy, it is because I am failing to depend on God. It takes effort to rely on God, but I know that He never forgets me, never abandons me when I am in need, never leaves me alone in any suffering, and never fails to provide all that I require to be truly joyful and content.
Today I will identify an area of my life in which I have not relied on God, and I will make an effort to depend on Him in a new way. Will you?
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