Number 64

He is number 64.

His family is desperate, they need help.

He needs a coat, shoes, clothes, diapers, high chair, and the list goes on.

I kept forgetting to sign up at the bank at the adopt a child program they have set up for Christmas.

Finally, it came to me while I was still at the drive up window.

"I would like to adopt a child."

"What gender would you like?"

"Age?"

"What do you need most?" is my reply.

The teller hands me a sheet of paper with a list of number 64's needs. I look it over. Should I get started now? It is a nasty day ...

I head for a store that carries what little 64 needs. I handle each garment with care, looking for comfort as well as warmth.

I head to another store. Number 64 is heavier on my mind. A momma pushes her shopping cart past me. A tiny one about 64's age is sleeping in the seat of the cart, his body draped over the back of the seat with his head propped up by a box in her basket. Is that number 64 I wonder? No, probably not. I study him just the same. Curls frame is sleeping face. Cheeks are rosy, chapped by the wind. He looks like a cherub.

I am falling in love with number 64 and I don't even know his name.

But I imagine him.

I bring the parcels home and begin to wrap them for him. I pray as I wrap.

I write a note and place it in the package.
"I promise to pray for you, little 64, every day this year. I will pray for your family too. Many happy blessings!"

My husband and I embrace for morning prayer. I ask him to add number 64 to our list. He lists him when he prays for each of our children by name. Number 64 comes last. He calls him little one. He prays for blessings on his life. It is a sweet time. I pray for number 64's salvation.

A few days ago I received a letter in the mail from a missionary in Sri Lanka. They found children who needed prayer warriors. I adopted one. Her name is Jumana. I was praying for her this morning. I just noticed this morning that there is a number on the back of her beautiful picture. You guessed it! Her number is 64.

So I will be praying for two children this year. One is in Sri Lanka, a little girl, age (? 10 maybe), and a little boy from my county, age 1, who wears size 5 shoes, and 18 month size clothing. Both are number 64.

How did the Lord work all this out? His ways are amazing! I believe He just loves to thrill us with these little things that are really quite big!

Merry Christmas!
Cheri

"One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.' And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left."
Matthew 19:13-15

ps. Pictured is my little friend Teagan. He is not #64, but he is close to his age and he is a sweetheart! Don't you think?

Wasn't Going to Tell

It began with a burden. It seems that everywhere I go I am running into women who are in desperate situations! They are the victims of unfixable problems. I have some who pour out their hearts to me. I listen. I don't have answers. I don't have ten or twelve steps to offer. But I do understand!

I have been there! I have been in seasons where the hurt was more overwhelming than I thought I could bare. It took my breath, it wrenched my gut, it threatened my faith, my hope and my trust. It shook me to the core.

They were seasons.

They have passed. 

Some seasons were long.

Others brief.

All painful.

I am still here to tell about it. 

The Lord was there for me. Sometimes it appeared that He was the only one, but He was faithful. 

Now I want to encourage others who are in a season of pain. I want to stir hope in hearts and minister to inner wounds, applying salve to the soul. 

I want to help my sisters to continue on this marathon of faith so that we can all make it to the finish line. 

I prayed. 

The Lord had an idea, opening  a way that I can possibly help.

I am starting another blog for women who are in pain, or who are praying through a difficult situation, or who need a word of encouragement once in a while. 

It is a work in progress and I wasn't going to tell about it until I had it all complete, so it is under construction, but perhaps someone needs a good word today. 

The name of my new blog is Threadbare ... hope for women who feel they are hanging on by a thread. The url is cherilb.blogspot.com. 

I will continue writing on my blog Seven Branches. Threadbare will be a very specific blog.

Do you know someone who is hurting that might benefit from some encouragement? Would you send them over to check out by new blog? Perhaps they will find a respite there. 

My love to you sweet ones!

Cheri