How can I prove you are mine?

In the news these days there is the horrific story of Cleo, a young child in Western Australia who has gone missing from her home. Thoughts and prayers are with her family.

This reminded me of a time many years ago when another girl went missing in Adelaide – Louise Bell. She was taken from her bedroom and the search was on to find her.

At that time, I took my daughter, Lisa, with me for a short holiday break on Kangaroo Island. We traveled on a tourist bus to many of the major sights, stayed in a hotel, ate out at cafes and restaurants and enjoyed ourselves.

Within days of returning and being in my office, two policemen arrived and wanted to speak with me about Lisa. With the events surrounding Louise in my mind, I rushed to meet the police. I was then horrified to learn that someone had seen Lisa and I together on Kangaroo Island and reported us to the police – suggesting that I was a kidnapper and Lisa was, in fact, Louise Bell. They then asked me, “Can you prove she is yours?”

How do I do that? I have certificates, photos, etc, but is that enough?

They informed me that they would be visiting our home that evening and wanted to meet Lisa. Standing there with these two large men in my living room, Lisa came in and they asked her, “Is this your mother?” And what was Lisa’s response? She turned to me and, as only an 11 year old can do, said, “What’s this worth, Mum?”

“She’s yours”, said the Policeman. He then went on to explain that they had also interviewed our neighbours during the day to ascertain that the girl with me now was the same as before Louise Bell went missing.

What was also disturbing was that someone saw Lisa and I, in the process we thought of enjoying a rare holiday together and suspected that I was a kidnapper and Lisa was not there of her own accord. What were they seeing? How were we behaving?

“You are mine”, says God. “I made you my child and heir when you were baptised.” But how can I prove that to others? When people look at me do they see me as God’s child? I’m pretty sure that there are numerous times I let that image down and don’t reflect this prized relationship. How thankful I am that it is God who claims me and knows me as His child through his Son.