Abandoned

# Abandoned

Five years ago, the newspaper Charente Libre reported that in the city of Nersac, near Angoulême in southwestern France, a nine-year-old boy had lived alone in an unheated apartment for two years, from 2020 to 2022. Despite having no electricity or hot water, the boy survived by eating canned food, pastries, and even tomatoes from his neighbor's hallway. He bathed in cold water, bundled himself in multiple blankets to sleep, and remarkably, he continued to attend school regularly. The boy maintained his studies, earned good grades, and appeared clean and well-mannered. For this reason, his teachers and neighbors suspected nothing, because the boy seemed quite normal. After two years, a neighbor reported the boy's condition to the authorities, who investigated his circumstances. It turned out that his mother had abandoned him when she moved away to live with a boyfriend just a few miles away. She was sentenced to six months of house arrest. The boy's father lived in another town and was not charged. The boy was placed in a care center when he was eleven years old.(1) How tragic for the boy, yet remarkably, he had managed to care for himself in such difficult circumstances, without his parents by his side! Thanks be to God!

This story reminds us of God's boundless love for His people. None of us is abandoned, for God Himself created us, and He is always near, protecting us. Even though a mother may abandon her nursing child and forget the child of her womb, God never forgets, as He spoke to His people: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" (Isaiah 49:15–16). In times when we are lonely or in distress, let us remember God's promises—that He always provides and supplies all that we need. Jesus said, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Luke 12:6–7). God loves the human race whom He created in the goodness of the beginning; therefore, no matter how small or humble we may be, the Lord God always watches over us, knows us fully, and loves us. "Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones" (Isaiah 49:13). Thanks be to God!

As beloved children of God, we walk according to God's will—by obeying His Word and doing what God has done for us every day. One of the things God does is show care and compassion toward those around us. We need to pay attention to all those near us—in our families, among our neighbors, friends at work, and in public places we frequent. When we pay attention, we see and understand their needs, and from this, we develop compassion and, trusting in God's grace, we act to help them within what God permits. There are many people abandoned by society, living in loneliness and despair with no way out—such as those caught in addiction, imprisoned, homeless, and others. They greatly need hope through faith in our Lord Jesus! God's Word teaches us not to be indifferent or careless toward the needs of those around us. Our faith must bear fruit in good works, as the apostles James and John reminded us: "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" (James 2:15–16); "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:17–18).

I pray that the Holy Spirit will forgive our negligence and slowness toward those around us; grant us sensitivity to the needs of others; help us be ready to assist those in need through concrete actions, just as God has done, regardless of who they are; so that through God's love, their hearts' eyes may be opened and they may see Jesus, and believe and accept Him as the Savior of their souls, and live in the blessings God grants! Amen!

Thanks to God, the One who always keeps us, In His hands, all things find peace, Though life's path may hold trials, Yet He knows fully, and provides all things!

Following Christ's example, love all, Live it out, and reap the fruit of good works, Gladly help our sisters and brothers, Steadfast, for God watches over all paths!

Do not be anxious or troubled in life, God provides—act with faith! Look first upon Christ, The Way, the Truth, and eternal peace!

(1) Jane Dalton, "Boy, 9, who lived alone for two years in unheated flat went unnoticed because he was 'a good pupil'", https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/boy-france-nersac-home-alone-mother-b2484100.html, https://princeea.com/9-year-old-survives-alone-for-2-years/

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