The Little Prince

Variations on a theme-- isn't that essentially what the Bible is? The core of the gospel message is simple: we were broken by sin; Christ came to heal and save us from that sin. See, simple! 

But at times, I find it hard to internalize this truth. Yes, Christ came to die, heal, and save the world. But does that world include me? I can extend all the grace necessary to other hurting souls but have the most challenging time extending it to myself. This poem is also a variation on the same theme as "Prayer for Healing," but it is framed through an allegory depicting the experience of an innocent child to drive home the point of God's loving care and healing for me.

When I look at myself through the lens of how God looks at me-- a tiny and innocent little infant, perfect, lovable, worthy of grace and mercy because the righteousness of Christ covers her-- my perspective begins to shift. And by looking at my situation through this allegory of a little son of God facing a sin-filled world that hurts and destroys that innocence, I can finally deal compassionately with myself. I can see how those things I've believed for so many years that have brought about depression, addiction, and shame are actually founded on lies of the devil. He wanted to hurt God, so he attacked God's little child. I was too young to understand what was happening or discern it was a lie. So, over the years, I internalized these lies as "truths" and became blinded to God's loving oversight. 

Yet God's promises are true. He will never leave nor forsake us, even when we turn away from Him. When we cannot see Him and cry out, "Why have you forsaken me?" He has not left us but is shrouded in the darkness of the cloud. He is still by our side. And in time, if we let Him, our loving Father will pick us up, wipe away our tears, give us beauty from the ashes, and make all things new.