{who is hidden behind that smile?}
A young treasure, innocent, unaware that the world is not our home. Could this smile really ever feel pain?
Late summer evenings cool as the earth shifts. Exploring train tracks, dancing in the leaves, playing with friends. High school may be full of drama, but evenings like this wipe away any stains from the week. Carefree soul. Does anyone see? Who knows what pain might be hidden inside? The dazzling smile still brightens lives as she lives in the presence of God and feels His love. For now, the pain is gone.
{Shoes, make-up, dresses, dancing}
Yet no mother to hold her hand. No mother to show her how to put her make-up on. "Where are you?! Primping your own hair. Your daughter is losing her way." Her eyes sparkle in girlish anticipation. Mascara and blush adorn her face as her face breaks into a breathtaking smile and she laughs. For one night, she is a princess going to a ball.
Time passes and the leaves fall. Laughter fills the air as the girls play in the crisp fall air. "We're in high school now, but homework can wait." They live in the moment, enjoying life one step at a time.
Children flock to her side. Her eyes set them at ease. She loves children. This is a gift, a gift from God.
{girl nights, pillow fights, crazy photoshoots}
Some see life in black and white. She takes the black and white and paints a picture. Literally. With ink or acrylics she captures life and puts it on a canvas. Her eyes glitter and glimmer as she expresses her heart, in ink. Another gift. She is talented.
{dancing, laughing, music, raindrops}
Her life complicates. He walks in. He is charming. He is good looking and she wants love. He loves her, he leads her and she follows. Winter evenings playing with his friends and family. Where is her daddy? She wants a knight. "Daddy! Your daughter needs you tonight!"
Missions trips with the Church. Wiping dirty noses of little dark-skinned children in third world countries. Pouring out her love to lost people. She brings rays of sunshine with her smile and glimmers of hope with her eyes. Yet who will be her sunshine?
As the years move forward, clouds gather. Waves beat down on her. The glamor and gaudy glitz of the world attracts her.. calls to her soul. Her hands begin to slip from the Foundation. She begins to let go, to sink into the dark waves around her. Her boyfriend leaves. He didn't need the love; she did. Now she has the broken heart. Yet she smiles.
{He calls to her. He whispers, "You are My beloved."}
Still the album pages continue to turn. No longer is she the innocent, unaware little girl. A beautiful young woman smiles from the photograph. Her smile is filled with laughter, yet behind her eyes is a cry for help.
{Sleepovers, scary movies, sister-hugs}
Summer comes again. One year of high school left. Can she make it? Pretty, bubbly, vivacious. Yet she is slipping, losing hope, letting go.
Senior homecoming. Will he ask her to the dance? Does she dare wait in a silence that may mean no? With trembling hands, she picks up the phone to call. Oh, she needs to be rescued, yet doesn't even know! So many eyes lifted in judgment, but not one knee bent in prayer! Oh Christians! Why aren't we praying? Who can save her now? They watch with brazen eyes as she slips, lets go.
{Homecoming dateless, girlfriend nights. Study + study + study = graduation!}
She calls, she cries, she wants love.. yet pushes it away. The pain is deep. Who understands? Who cares to understand? Without a smile she cries. Oh daddy! Wake up! your daughter is losing her way.
{darkness, pain}
"Attention, attention" her heart screams! "Somebody love me! Somebody! Anybody!" Her cry grows deeper.. lower as she watches her arm open from the blade and blood rushing up. Yet now, relief? The pain is gone. For now.
People look. People wonder. People turn away and say "What a shame." What a shame!? What a shame that there is not one steadfastly in prayer, crying out for her soul! No one can save her now. Yet He will still be her Savior. Still no one prays.
{graduation, parties, summer}
College away. Party life begins. A new way to drown her pain. Alcohol. Everything fades. Church folks wag their heads and say, "What a shame, what a shame." Why isn't the Church praying? Where have the prayer warriors gone?
Today, she sits bleary-eyed. A far cry from the bright eyed, young girl in the first page. A small smile moves across her lips yet ends with a sigh. She wanted love, wanted to be rescued. He rescued her, gave her a child, and left. Is this how it is supposed to end? Why aren't the Christians praying?
{"You shall love your neighbor as yourself... and do this, knowing the time, that now is high time to awake out of sleep!" Romans 13:9b,11a}
