Friday, May 7, 2010

Sarah Forbes Bonetta was born an African princess in 1843.  She was captured during a horrible raid on her village when she was 5 years old.  When she was 7 she was rescued by an Englishman, Commander Frederick Forbes, moments before she was to be killed as a human sacrifice. 


Because of the circumstances of her rescue, upon her arrival in England, Sarah came under the guardianship of none other than the Queen herself.  Throughout her childhood the Queen took great interest in Sarah’s well-being and education.  


Although Sarah lived with adoptive families away from the palace, sometimes even on another continent, she was treated as a child of the Queen.  All decisions regarding her upbringing were either made by the Queen, or with the Queen in mind.  Sarah was treated with great respect, and yet vigorously trained and educated to be fit for her visits with the Royal Family.


Just as Sarah didn’t truly ‘belong’ to the families with which she was raised, our children don’t truly belong to us.  They are little princes and princesses, placed in our care by non other than the King himself.


Do we treat them with the kindness and respect we would a visitor from the Royal Family?


Are we training them to stand in the King’s presence?  


Educating them in the ways of the King?


Sarah dearly loved the families she grew up with, and they loved her, but it was always the Queen that had the power and authority to care for Sarah in every way.  As much as we love our children, are we being careful to entrust them to the One that loves them more than we ever will?  To the One that has the true power and authority to care for them in every way?

2 comments:

The Lockwood Family ♥ said...

That's so good, Amy. Thank you for sharing it! When Daniel gets home tonight, I want to read it to him.
And you've got a couple of really handsome young men there. :-). Little guy is really filling out! May the Lord give you a wonderful weekend, friend! :)

Kara said...

What a wonderful post and so true! I also have to say, what an adorable picture!! Happy Mother's Day:)