While this story is a true story it is also an allegory for us.

It was a Hot Brazilian Day – the air was hanging thickly in the cemetery Chapel. The fans stirred stillness of the silence. On the stand in the middle of the chapel was a coffin that contained the body of a women who had been in a car accident the day before. Her name was Dona Neusa. Around the casket stood her husband, sister, and other relatives. In the gathering was also someone special by the name of Carmelita. She was a tall, elegant women with clear dark skin. Her face was solemn. She starred earnestly at the casket with her deep brown eyes. There was something noble about the way she stood beside the body. She did not weep openly as did the rest. Nor did she seek comfort from the other mourners. She just stood there curiously quiet.

Twenty years earlier Dona’s family had visited a small town in the interior of Brazil. There they had encountered Carmelita who was a 7-year-old orphan living with poverty-stricken relatives. Her mother had been a prostitute, so she never knew her father. Upon seeing her, Dona was touched. She knew that unless someone intervened little Carmelita was doomed to life of no compassion or attention. Because of Dona Neusa’s compassion the family returned with a new family member.

As Carmalita stood in the chapel, she was now imagining how her life had changed. Her mind was reliving her childhood memory of climbing into a car and driving away with a strange family. One moment she was without love, a home, and a future. Next moment she had all three.

The funeral was over, and feet shuffled out. Carmelita remained, weeping silently, stroking the coffin. Carmelita was alone at last with her adoptive mother to bid her adieu. All the earnestness in her eyes indicated there was one final task to perform. As she caressed coffin teardrops splashed on the polished wood and she said repeatedly “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” It was a final farewell of gratitude.

As I reflected on this story from my wife’s homeland, I thought of how we too are orphans of the universe. Cosmic orphans, without a future, without hope, tenderness, or affection. But we too have been rescued by a compassionate visitor who has offered us His home, his name, and his love.
He has offered us eternal life, which means a place in God’s eternal kingdom, a place in the new earth, where we will belong to God’s family forever. We too have rescued from a life without hope. Our response should be Carmelita’s, a stirring response of heartfelt gratitude for our deliverance. We too should stand in the quiet company of Him who saved us and weep tears of gratitude and offer words of thankfulness.
Do that with me now if you will.