We recently went and saw a friend's child perform in a production. She was wonderful, full of joy and light. Honestly, it's just the type of kid she is, and it was shining through in her performance. I was so proud of her…and also a little sad for so many others.

This great young lady has had a wonderful family experience. She was well cared for in the womb, and her parents are some of the best people I know. She has lived in love, nurturing, and encouragement her entire existence.

And so many kids do not.

So many kids who have gone through trauma, were cheated out of all of that. Many of them did not have a healthy development in utero, let alone after being born. They have been forced to face things as children, that would be extremely challenging for most adults. They have not be nurtured or cared for properly for much of their short lives so far.

That makes me incredibly sad…and a little bit angry. It's not how the story is supposed to go.

The only thing for me to do with that grief, is to cling to the Lord's promises.

The Lord is close.

He is close and His love redeems. And turns that which is broken into something whole. In the darkness, He is close.

I pray that every hurting child knows that. Knows that Jesus is with them always, and that His love saves and heals us.

Let it be so Father. Let us believe it.