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| Click HERE to see the notecards |
While putting together the Royal Baby Watch notecards in my last post, my mind started wandering … and wondering what the royal birth certificate will look like. And so I searched for Prince William’s … and was greatly disappointed. It’s boring.
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| Source |
At least he has one … and so will the newest little royal whenever he or she arrives.
As it turns out, all of my mental wandering led me to recall another birth certificate … and a story I’ve never shared with you.
Her name is Diana. She’s a graduate of Hope Unlimited for Children. When she came to us, very little was known about her. As is common with children in such circumstances, basic dental and medical tests were run to “guess-timate” approximately how old she was … and then she got to pick her own birthday.
Diana thrived in our residential program, but there was always a part of her that grieved because she didn’t know who she was. Who were her parents? Where had she lived? What was her surname? Through the years, our wonderful social workers tried unsuccessfully to connect the few bits and pieces of information they had about Diana’s earliest years before Hope.
As is customary shortly before a child graduates, Diana sat down once more with our social workers who asked her if there was anything she needed from them. Anything they could do to encourage or support her before she began the transition out of the residential program.
Diana had only one request:
She still wanted to know who she was.
Would they try — once more — to find her birth certificate?
I know our social workers, and I know how that request would have burdened them. For years they had used every resource at their disposal, only to be met with one dead end after another. This little girl … now grown into a young woman … embarking on a beautiful future she would have never known … had one request. Only one.
I want to know who I am.
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| Diana with Hope Unlimited founder Philip Smith and his wife, Corenne. |
This is Diana … holding the birth certificate our tireless social workers found buried in the files of a remote hospital. Oh, the joy …
Go ahead, cry. I do … every.single.time.
But you know what? Even if Diana’s birth certificate had never surfaced, she already knew who she was … not by name, but by what matters most. I seriously doubt Diana has ever heard this old poem-turned hymn, but she can claim its words. I pray you can, too …
My Father is rich in houses and lands,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.
Refrain:
I’m a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior,
I’m a child of the King.
My Father’s own Son, the Savior of men,
Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them;
But now He is pleading our pardon on high,
That we may be His when He comes by and by.
I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice, an alien by birth,
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down,
An heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown.
A tent or a cottage, why should I care?
They’re building a palace for me over there;
Though exiled from home, yet still may I sing:
All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.
Words by Harriet E. Buell (1877)
Music by John B. Sumner
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17
Have a wonderful weekend!
I’ll be joining Spiritual Sundays @ Blogger Spirit.
I am happy this young lady has her birth certificate, and yes, like all Christians, she can rejoice that she is a child of the King.
Love that old hymn and the message it proclaims! And the picture of that nursery…absolutely gorgeous!
Beautiful post. I’m so happy they were able to find this for her! So true, All Glory to God…I’m a child of the King!!!
Blessings,
Cindy
What a wonderful, wonderful story. I am so glad they found her birth certificate. She must have been beside herself with excitement. Did she trace back to her parents to see them at all? xo Diana ps. I love that old hymn-
I’m so glad they found it!! That was my second favorite part of this post. The way you brought it all back to what is even more wonderful was my favorite.
Actually, she has a lot in common with William and with the expected royal baby. Just like them, she is the child of a King. Of course, when you think of it she has a far, far, greater pedigree. William is the son of a man who (eventually) will be King. She’s the daughter of the King of Kings who was and is and is to come.
Amen!
What an incredible labor of love! I guess we just sort of take it for granted that everyone would have access to their birth certificate on a whim. How exciting for Diana and for everyone who put forth so much effort on her behalf!!!
A beautiful true story that you’ve tied in so well with current events and a godly truth. So happy for Diana.
Just one of many amazing stories of love at Hope Unlimited. Thanks for sharing her story with us. Cherry Kay