a toddler's shield

her tiny, awkward legs,
her body stumbling towards me.
she reaches for the toy that lights up and spins.
five long scrapes on the inside of her forearm.
"what happened? what happened to you arm?"
"momma."
"did momma do that to you?"
silence.
she wraps her marred arms around my neck.

You sit at the table with the wounded and poor. You are on our side.


"friday will be his last day. his mother can't afford to keep him here."
my heart sinks a tad, saddened that my little bundle of joy is leaving.
she stands up and stares.
"who's going to make sure he eats? i mean we feed him here."
"if he's not here, he may not have enough to eat."
my heart breaks in two.
he giggles and plays, unaware.

the orphan clings to Your hand, singing the song of how he was found. You are on our side.