This is based on a very recent happening in our local city.
Melissa glanced into the back seat of
the pickup. Good, Addison has fallen asleep. She had had a rough
night, well they both had actually, and she sure didn't begrudge her
daughter a little shut eye even though she would probably wake up at
least briefly once they got home. Just one more stop and then I'll be
able to make a quit, late lunch before putting her down for a proper
nap.
Melissa automatically reached for the
key after easing to a stop at her friends place. No, it's too cold to
shut off the vehicle even for a second. I'll just pick up that
tupperware container I left then be back in two shakes of a lambs
tail.
Melissa leaped out of the light brown
pick up and hurried to the door. Something made her stop and turn
around. It was the sound of a motor. A familiar motor! The motor of
their own Dodge truck. What! What? Someone had leaped into their
pickup and was driving off with it!
Melissa started shrieking and
screaming and soon several neighbours were flocking to their doors.
“My baby! Someone stole my baby!”
In spite of Melissa's near hysteria
her friends understood her dire predicament and were soon rushing to
their own vehicles. Everyone threw caution to the winds as they raced
to catch up with the illusive vehicle. It was out of sight! Which way
did it turn?
“My baby! Where oh where is my
baby,” Melissa wailed.
Everyone heard her, but no one
responded. It was urgent that Addison be returned to her loving
mother's care.
“She'll be so frightened!” Melissa
moaned.
Someone slammed on their brakes in
front of the police station and made a report. Soon the news was
being broadcasted all over the community, the province, maybe even
the whole country. Even text messages were being flashed from phone
to phone. Look out for a pale brown pickup and the license number
was given. Everybody was looking, everyone was concerned. A baby! A
seven month old baby separated from her mother? How terrible! It
brought out the best in people.
Three long hours passed. It probably
felt like weeks to the distressed young mother. All her friends were
doing all they could, and she had No Idea how many strangers were
also on the lookout.
“She's found! The baby is found!”
How quickly the news spread in this age of rapid communication. She
had been left on someone's' doorstep. Hopefully still in her carseat
and well bundled up and thankfully someone had been at home.
The criminals had been found and the
baby is safe in her mother's arms. So ends the story. But no! That is
not the ending! Can't you see the parallel?Far too many babes in Christ are also
snatched away by the Evil One. Can't we see the danger they are in?
Can't we see how lonely and frightened they also may be? Can we at
least try to care for them at least as much as sweet little Addison
was cared about? Sound the alarm! Another of God's children has been
stolen! Don't go to sleep without uttering a heartfelt prayer for at
least one of them, and do what you can to bring them back to safety.
