Loving Those Who Are Hard To LoveSample

Loving the Rejected

How would you define religion? James describes “true religion” much differently than many people in our culture. He explains it as “to look after orphans and widows.” God has special concern for those most vulnerable, those who fall at the margins of society who are often exploited. He calls us to look after those that society often rejects.

Learn from the example of 10-year-old Eduardo and his mama, Mrs. Raimunda.

Anyone who hears Eduardo’s joyful laugh can’t imagine the terrible circumstances of his first months of life. Eduardo’s young mother was ashamed of the child she gave birth to —the product of prostitution. So she dropped him off with relatives and left town. The baby was then passed around from one relative’s home to another. No one wanted this extra mouth to feed. It appeared that baby Eduardo, abandoned and unloved, would have no real future. That is, until Mrs. Raimunda found out.

At 69 years old, Mrs. Raimunda had suffered a hard life, but she possessed a loving heart. Over the years, without any children of her own, she took several abandoned children into her home. “Despite being poor, I shared everything I had with them. What could I do? Let them die? What little I had, I shared.”

Eduardo is registered in the local church’s Compassion child development center. “I like that he goes to the Compassion center,” Mrs. Raimunda says, “because he learns a lot of things there. The staff take good care of him and encourage him to work to become a responsible person in the future."

“She is my mommy,” says Eduardo about his foster mom. “I feel so loved by her and grateful for everything she does for me.” Despite the circumstances of his beginning, Eduardo is thriving and is loved by everyone around him, from neighbors to the Compassion center staff. When he goes to the public market with Mrs. Raimunda, the merchants, enchanted by Eduardo's smile and bright personality, often give him treats. 

When he grows up, Eduardo says he wants to be a truck driver so that he can visit different places. Mrs. Raimunda hopes that she can see him accomplish his dream. “All I ask God is to give me health and help me live long enough to see him grow up as a good man.”

Is that heartfelt, unconditional love reflected in your prayers?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, there are rejected people all around me—marginalized people whom You love. Help me see them and love them. Help me not look past them. Give me Your heart.