Milagro in Honduras

We can learn that God made us all in His image, no matter our differences.

Ask: What is something that makes you unique?

Take time to share one thing that you love about each person you’re reading this devotional with. It could be their smile, their kindness or anything in between. Then, share something about yourself—something that is different from everyone else you see around you. How do you feel about that trait? Do you love it? Or do you have a hard time loving it?

Something amazing about God is that He made each one of us in His image. Do you know what that means? It means that He made us for Him and like Him. He carefully made each one of us. He knows the number of hairs on our heads, the freckles that cover our cheeks and the exact shades of colour that fill our eyes. And He calls it all beautiful. Very good. Wonderfully made.

But sometimes, that’s hard for us to understand, isn’t it? Sometimes we have a hard time loving ourselves the way God loves us.

This is our friend, Milagro. She is a sweet and joyful seven-year-old girl from Honduras. She has two big brothers who are her very best friends. Her favourite thing to do is design, colour, and draw pictures. When she grows up, she wants to be an architect!

Milagro’s home of Honduras is one of the biggest countries in Central America. If you walk through the streets by her home, you’ll hear most people speaking Spanish. And if you were looking for kids to play with, you’d most likely find them playing soccer in a field. Soccer is Honduras’ most popular sport!

Milagro was born with two unique conditions called arthrogryposis and spina bifida. Those are big words, aren’t they? It means that Milagro’s spine was not fully formed before she was born in her mother’s womb. Because of this, she couldn’t move her legs. That’s made it hard for her to get around and play like other kids do. Many days, she would be sad that she couldn’t run around like her friends could. But, in her sadness, her mom's words each day made her remember a special truth that would change everything: “God has made you special and beautiful in every way.”

With her mom’s loving kindness and the support of her church, Milagro began to love her differences. They were her superpowers! With the help of a wheelchair, Milagro could move even faster than her friends. Each day, she is learning to see herself how God sees her—beautifully and wonderfully made!

Read the Bible verses for today together.

Ask and Discuss:

What do the Bible verses for today tell you about how God sees you?

Do you ever find it hard to believe these truths about yourself?

What is one simple truth you can tell yourself each day to help you see yourself the way God sees you? Ask your family to help remind you of that truth each day.

Pray:

Father, sometimes I have a hard time loving me for me. Sometimes, I look at other kids, see what they have, and wish I could be like them. It’s easy for me to forget that You created me on purpose—that you love all the parts of me and call it all very good. Every day, remind me of this truth, just as you reminded Milagro: You made me special, and You love me very much. Help me to remind others of their worth, too. We are all Your children, and we are beloved through and through. Amen.