Last week our kids returned from a two week vacation where many of them were able to visit their family for the holidays. James and I drove across the country to pick up one of our girls who had spent the time  with her mom and little brother.  As we talked through the long drive back to Monte Plata, Alana (not her real name) went through moments of joy as she recounted some of the sweet memories she was able to experience.  But then she would suddenly swing to tears as the reality of her life came crashing back down on her.  She realizes with far more clarity than a 9 year old should have that her life is not as it should be.  It is broken.

Her momma loves her, but does not have the mental or financial resources to be able to care for her.  Alana sorrows because she, too, loves her mom, but even as a young girl sees that her mom is incapable of providing for her.  She is conflicted because she loves her “family” at Casa Monte Plata, but knows that God has given her another biological family. 

“It shouldn’t be like this!” she tells me through tears.

You are right, sweet girl.  It shouldn’t be like this.

God made families to reflect His character, to show His faithfulness, tenderness, authority, love, compassion, commitment, jealousy, and joy.  But sadly, “family” is not a word that conjures up these thoughts for so many of our kids. 

I am so sorry that you are experiencing so painfully the brokenness of this world. 

But in the midst of this sorrow, their is hope.  God sent us Jesus to repair this broken world.  It starts when we realize our own brokenness.  Just as God made families to show His character, He made each one of us to bring Him glory and honor and worship.  But just like your family, sweet Alana, we have failed in that God given purpose.  We, too are broken.  We, through our sin have become distanced and hostile to our Father and Creator.

We need to turn to Jesus, the only one who lived and perfectly kept His purpose of glorifying God with His life.   When we recognize our brokenness and put our faith in Jesus who alone can restore our relationship with God, Jesus makes us new!  He heals our broken hearts, He gives us the right to be called son and daughters of God.  From the inside out, He makes us new.

And yet this world is still broken.  Our new selves still live in a world that is ruled by sin, evil, sickness, sorrow.  The perfection of Eden is hard to imagine through the darkness of pain that reigns today.  And yet. . .

Jesus is coming again, and when He comes, He will restore not just our hearts, but the whole world.  With a sword and a fierce authority, he will destroy all evil, all sickness, all suffering.  He will reign in judgement over this world and burn a purifying fire over this sin-encrusted world.  And in the end, all that is in opposition to God will be destroyed, and all that is broken will be healed.  Behold, a new heaven and a new earth, the old is gone and the new has come!  The perfection of Eden will no longer be a shadowy dream, it will be reality.  No more sorrow, no more tears, no more pain. 

Oh, come, Lord Jesus!  Heal this broken world for Your glory!