Susie

“He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom.” — from Isaiah 40

Mary’s house became a safe place for babies. Some were sick, some were unwanted, and some were found alone in the forest. Sadly, many were too weak, and died. Mary laid each one in a little box among flowers and buried it with a prayer. She cried for every one.

One day a slave woman named Iye gave birth to twins. Because of the old fear, people tore her clothes, smashed her treasured basins, and drove her out of the village. They crammed the babies into an empty box and put it on her head. When Mary heard, she ran barefoot down the forest path to meet her, and carried the box herself, because no one else would touch it. Then she stood in the blazing sun while the people cut a brand-new path straight to her house, so that Iye would not have to walk along the village path.

The little boy had been hurt too badly, and he had already died. But the baby girl lived. Mary named her Susie, after her own sister. Susie became the darling of the house. At fourteen months she had a bad accident with boiling water. For thirteen days and nights Mary hardly put her down. In the dark Mary would hear a tiny voice saying, “Mem, Mem, Mem,” and a little hand would reach up for a kiss. Early one Sunday, Susie died in Mary’s arms. “Oh, Susie, Susie!” Mary wrote.

But something wonderful happened. The village gathered round the grave of a twin, the very thing they used to run away from, and a woman of the old religion stood up and praised Mary’s God for the child. Mary had always refused to buy slaves, but she paid ten pounds to set Iye free. Years later, Iye was baptised.

Jesus is like a shepherd who carries his little lambs in his arms. You are never too small for him to love and carry.

Dear Jesus, thank you that you carry me close to your heart. Please look after babies and children who are sick or alone. Amen.