THAWING
A FROZEN TODDLER

Topics: Children; Christ as Shepherd; Healing; Motherhood; Redemption; Repentance; Rescue; Salvation; Sin

References: Psalm 91:14; Luke 15:3–7, 11–32

On a cold February night in 2001, Erika, age one, somehow wandered out of her house and spent the entire night outside. When her mother, Leyla Nordby, found the little girl, Erika appeared to be totally frozen. Her legs were stiff and her body frozen, and all signs of life appeared to be gone.

Erika was treated at Edmonton’s Stollery Children’s Health Center. To the amazement of doctors, the toddler showed no sign of brain damage. They gave Erika a clear prognosis; she would soon hop and skip and play like other girls her age.

Some of us have wandered away from our Father’s house, and it has brought us near the point of death. Our hearts have hardened, and our spiritual bodies look as lifeless as the little girl in the snow. But our Father knows we are missing and is searching for us. He can take our lifeless spirits and restore us to health.

Let the Father pick you up and take you back to his house.

—David Duncan, “Wandering from God’s House,” PreachingToday.com; source: Bob McKeown, “A Tiny Survivor,” MSNBC Dateline (March 20, 2001)