Growing Legs To Walk the Talk

In a faraway place there is a girl
who is six and very capable.
All the day long she says, "I can!"
and does her mother's bidding.
She is plain and small,
and keeps her hands on her hips,
with her chin held high.
She has no time for puerile pleasures,
and wears only the hint of a smile.
This girl will do well.


In a faraway place there is a girl who is eight
and very cheerful.
All the day long she playfully shirks the work
to assuage her pining need for whimsy.
She is dark and adorable,
and adorns herself
with all that is good about being a girl.
She plays with dolls,
and has fun wherever she goes.
This girl will do well.



In a faraway place there is a girl
who has barely embarked on the years
that will lead her to adulthood.
All the day long she mentors and guides
the young ones in her charge.
And hangs the laundry. And fixes dinner.
She is strong and smart and studious,
and would rather curl up with a good book
than do just about anything else.
This girl will do well.

These are not my girls--but they could be.

And now...
they are.

Though they remain in their faraway lands--
in Equador, Peru and Indonesia--
These girls are ours now to pray for, to rejoice over...

to love...

as with the hands and feet of Jesus, through Compassion International.


ht: Melanie, This Ain't New York