She didn’t have to do it. She didn’t have to take the baby into her home, reorganizing her days and nights to care for her. She didn’t have to feed, bathe, and hold her. She didn’t have to love her. But she did. She tenderly cared for her until, nearly a year later, a family adopted the baby. 

The newborn had been discarded, abandoned. A good Samaritan had found the baby and had taken her to the local baby rescue home. Though full, the home had welcomed the baby. 

My friend then welcomed the baby into her own home and into her own heart. More than anything else, my friend’s deepest desire was for this precious little one to know Jesus. So she sang to her of Jesus, and she prayed for her to know Jesus someday. She prayed for the spiritual and emotional needs, and she tended to the physical needs of this tiny human made in the glorious image of God! 

People questioned her often. Why do you sacrifice so much of your own time for this baby? How can you afford all the baby gear and formula and diapers? What if the baby doesn’t get adopted? What if the baby does get adopted?  

God’s Word answered: through Jesus! 

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:15-16 

Hebrews 13:15 begins with these two words: through Jesus. Because my friend had opened her heart to Jesus, she could open her heart and her home to a discarded newborn, as she trusted in the Lord’s powerful, loving, merciful help.  

Through Jesus, she offered a pleasing sacrifice to God.  

When it all seems too hard, remember “through Jesus.” How can you sacrifice so much of your time for your ministry? How can you afford to set up a home overseas? What if you and your ministry are not welcome? What if you are?  

God’s Word answers: through all-powerful, all-loving, all-merciful Jesus!