“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

    Monday, I met Allason (Alla, for short). Alla is 4 and is from Dhzerzhinsk, Ukraine. She had been an orphan the first 3 years of her life until an American family adopted her. Alla is special in a most unique way — she was born with no feet.

    She came to our house when our son hitched a ride back home. (I guess it’s true, they always do keep coming back!) Alla popped out of the car carrying some of Thomas’ stuff and if you looked at Alla’s face, nothing was unusual. Smiling and bright, dusty blond hair framing a round, healthy face, she looked like a cherub. But, when you listened to the thud, thud, thud of her volleys on the pavement (she wore socks on the end of her footless legs) and noticed there was no place for shoes, the oddity of her condition jumped out. For some, it would be a horrible problem to overcome. For Alla, it was just life.

    Alla dashed into the house to check out her new surroundings, and the speed at which she ran was startling. I would have guessed she would need to go slow, but no one ever told that to Alla. She bounced into our family room and kitchen. Her adopted daddy followed (running) behind her and finally swooped her up. She laughed and smiled. Life is hard, yes, but I could hear Jesus saying through her, “Take heart! I have overcome the world!”

“Take heart! I have overcome the world!”

    What drives the peace out of your life? Bills, poor health, rowdy kids, lying coworkers, the IRS? Whatever it is, it can only drive out the peace Christ promises IF YOU ALLOW IT.

    Alla stayed in a desperately impoverished orphanage her first 3 years. You might expect her to be sullen, maladjusted, and hating life. However, peace and joy rule in her heart. Why is that? I think it is because so many people I know pray for these kids, and in particular for her. Her adoptive family prayed for her specifically for 2 years before they adopted her. Or maybe it’s just knowing that she was chosen by a family that wanted her. Either way, Jesus’ peace puts a smile on her face and it can put one on ours for the same reasons!

    Today, Alla goes back home... with a pair of prosthetic feet. Doctors told her new parents that before long, her stubs would no longer support her weight. I don’t know how Alla will react to her new feet, but I have a feeling that her daddy is going to need to get into better shape!

    Yes, in this world, we ALL will have trouble, but only through Jesus can you truly have peace that overcomes the world!

 

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Title: "Running to Keep Up!"
Author: Mike Ellis
Publication Date: May 15, 2003