Josiah the Prince
A Tribute to Prince Jackson
by Lygia Lovelace

 

Who are you, Prince Josiah?

You were born in Liberia, in poverty--belly swollen with mal-nutrition. Your skin is as black as a summer night, with no moon…until

you smile!

You are beautiful!

We only met a few months ago. Your eyes held mistrust, and some sadness.

They still do at times.

We are getting to know you better, though, balancing your discipline with love. In many ways, you lived an animal’s life—scratching, foraging for food, caring nothing for cleanliness or relationship—looking out for yourself, your own survival.

We understand.

 

But who are you, Prince Josiah?

We didn’t expect you! You were a surprise, an extra, delivered along with your twin sisters…

“Can’t you take him, too?” the orphanage pleaded. “After all, he shares the same birthmother
with the girls. It would be good to keep them together. All they have are each other.”

With little hesitation, we accepted you, knowing that your bonding would be harder.

But it is our pleasure to have you as our son.

After all, you are a child of the King.

 

But who are you, Prince Josiah?

Your relationship with your twin sisters is intriguing. It’s almost as if their guardian angels assigned you to assist them. You share with them, you love them, you protect them, even over your own well-being. Though you are always hungry, you take time to pull food from your own mouth and give it to the girls.

You amaze us!

So who are you, Prince Josiah?

Though we didn’t expect you...

Though you don’t yet love or prefer us completely…

Though we know it won’t be easy…

…you are a wrapped package, presented to us by God, your Heavenly Father, created in

His image.

As time goes by…

… we know you will open up, little by little…

…and show us the gift that you are to us.

Who are you, Prince Josiah?

It doesn’t matter. We love you—and we are committed to you,

whoever you are.