“How could anyone abandon their baby?” my friend asked. We had just heard another sad account of an infant being discovered in a public restroom. This story, at least, had a happy ending—the baby was okay.
Most of us can’t put ourselves in the shoes of a mother who abandons her baby. Surely, though, a key factor must have been the overwhelming sense of desperation and loneliness she felt. A rush to judgment isn’t helpful here. The mother had wrapped the baby warmly and put her where she would quickly be discovered and have a chance in life.
I’m an adopted child, and I have no idea who gave birth to me. But I have never felt abandoned. As the psalmist wrote, “the LORD will hold [us] close” (Psalm 27:10). I’m certain of that and also of this: I have two moms who wanted me to have a chance in life. One gave life to me, and another invested her life in me. I do wonder, though, how desperate my “birth mom” must have felt when she let me go.
Jochebed was a loving mom trapped in a desperate situation (Exodus 6:20). Pharaoh had ordered the murder of all baby boys born to the Hebrews (Exodus 1:22). Jochebed hid little Moses for as long as she could, but he was starting to cry a little too lustily (Exodus 2:3). So she fashioned a boat out of a basket, placed Moses within it, and floated the makeshift vessel down the river. If the plan was to have the baby rescued by a princess, grow up in Pharaoh’s palace, and eventually deliver his people out of slavery . . . well, it worked to a tee.
Of course all of that wasn’t Jochebed’s plan; it was God’s. But when a desperate mother gave her child a chance, God took it from there. He has a habit of doing that in the most creative ways imaginable.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 2:41–3:11
More:
Read Isaiah 49:13-18 to see the imagery God used to describe His love for His people during a dark and desolate time.
Next:
When have you felt lonely and desperate? Are you facing a difficult time right now? Are you able to trust God with it? Why?
Adriel L. on October 9, 2015 at 2:26 am
Thank you for this very personal sharing, Tim. I am encouraged when you say, “But I have never felt abandoned.” Indeed, we as Christians may feel lonely at times, but we know we are never abandoned by the God who loves us and cares deeply for each one of us. Your perspective on your adoption is refreshing as well. Thanks again, have a great day.
Gary Shultz on October 9, 2015 at 6:37 am
Life has a way of forming a person and we get to chose a part of how that happens. You have experienced all your life the true meaning of adoption, I’m sure it fit nicely in understanding God’s choice to love us. Adoption is a very wonderful and deep thing. I like answering the “next” lines by understanding the price and worth of adoption for us. I know God would never leave us just by the value of the adoption and in the other hand the ability for us to come to Him by allowing us a place Jesus secured. It’s nice to be loved and wanted. Thanks
Tim Gustafson on October 9, 2015 at 7:51 am
Appreciate it, Gary. Having always “known” I was adopted (my parents never hid that fact from me), it has always felt oddly normal. Of course it isn’t, but it provides us with a wonderful picture of the fatherhood of God.
Tim Gustafson on October 9, 2015 at 7:48 am
Thanks, Adriel L. God is writing an amazing story, and we each get to play a unique part in it. I would never have scripted my role this way, but it has been fantastic! Every day I learn more about the goodness of God.
BearPair on October 9, 2015 at 11:20 am
Excellent & encouraging words Tim! We all need that reminder that God will use every opportunity He is given to bring about good! Thanks!
overflow26 on October 9, 2015 at 7:06 pm
Of course most of the time being a single mother of three at age 26 yeah alot of times i do feel alone just in flesh.OH!!!! yeah im having a very diffcult time right now with stablitily having no car is a real bummer when you have to work five days a week. But most all im happy that through out the years im able to trust GOD with any situation because he delivered then just as he is going to do today. thanks for ya time
LCC on October 12, 2015 at 6:19 am
Hi Tim. It may be a bit late for me to leave a comment to this article but I told myself I must share with you. Your this article came just timely as a comfort to me when I was going through the time of giving away my puppy. You see, I took in this puppy because my friends and I came across her and her sisters in a park. She was very friendly and wanted to follow us home. I took her and tried to care for her. But because of the nature of my work of long working hours and staying alone, I never have time for the puppy and struggled to care for her. I felt she deserves a better owner and have been looking out for better owner for her. Because of my decision to find other people to take care of the puppy, I received a lot of negative comments from friends and even being shunned by friends saying I am cruel to be thinking of giving her away. I felt rejected by friends, and have never felt so guilty and alone for what I intended to do. I even questioned myself if I am a cruel person for thinking of giving away the puppy. Finally I found a lady who was willing to care for her. That night after the puppy was taken, I was doing my devotion and read your article. I felt comforted, knowing that the LORD understood my struggle and has taken over from me and will watch over the puppy’s well being with the new owner. True enough, today after 2 days, I received news that the puppy is happy with the new owner and family. The new owner and family love her. Indeed our God is an awesome Father. When we can’t do it, He takes over. And this experience has helped me to have better understanding of what single mothers, and unwed young mothers are going through. We should not reject them, more so if sometimes they have to give away their child. Thank you Tim. God bless. Shalom.