Insulated Heart

For the Lord…will not forsake His faithful ones.  Ps. 37:28

 

In church several Sundays ago, we learned about Ruby Bridges, the little six year old black girl who was chosen to attend an all-white school to begin desegregation in the schools in the 1960’s.  Because the risk to her was so great, National Guardsmen had to escort her into the school.  There was an angry crowd of people outside the school protesting her presence there, making it very clear that she was unwelcome and hated.  Can you imagine treating a six year old girl like that?  It is unconscionable to treat any child that way, regardless of the circumstances.  Can you imagine the effects this would have on the average six year old child.  She could live in constant fear, have haunting nightmares, grow up consumed by hate and bitterness, and be scarred for the rest of her life.

 

Our pastor said a man was looking to research children who were experiencing traumatic events in their lives and how it affected them.  Ruby seemed like the perfect candidate.  He asked Ruby and her mom all sorts of questions to gauge how this stress was affecting her.  Was she having trouble sleeping?  Did she have loss of appetite?  No, she didn’t have those problems.  Was she upset when she came home from school?  Could she play with her friends at home like she normally does?  Yes, she was fine when she came home.  How was this possible given the horrible situation this girl had to face every day at school?

 

Then the researcher had noticed that Ruby’s lips were moving as she was escorted into the school.  He asked her what she was saying.  She said she was praying for the people who were harassing her.  She had learned in church that Jesus prayed for those who persecuted Him.  On the cross He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)  So she prayed the same thing for the people who hated her.  This innocent, little six year old asked God to forgive these adults who should know better.  She followed Jesus’ example.  And how did God respond?  He insulated her heart from being wounded or damaged.  She was hardly even affected by the people who hated her.  God allowed this six year old child to go through this horrific situation, but as she trusted and obeyed Him, He took care of her, just as He takes care of us when He asks us to go through a difficult situation.  When we choose to trust and obey Him, He protects us, and gives us what we need to do His will, and rise above our circumstances too.