Shame Babies

By Carrie Suzanne

There are orphanages in the world
Specially made for shame babies
On the outside, they look like homes
But on the inside they well-decorated prisons

Shame babies cry, but no one picks them up
They scream in the middle of the night-so inconvenient

They cry when they are hungry
My God, they are always hungry-surely they don’t 
expect to be catered to

They cry for someone to change them
But they are always a mess, so what’s the point?

They cry even if they are fed and dry
Just because they want to be held-unbelievably selfish

They cry so hard that they throw up
You know, they are more trouble than they are worth

So the only ones that grow up
Are those that learn how to starve
Never cry
And don’t make messes

Those who choke back their need
Never throw up
And certainly don’t scream in the middle of the night

Those that lay in their crib
Terrified
Afraid that someone will come
And afraid that they won’t

Who live a part of every day in the dark
Scared and afraid
Because no one ever told them it is just the night

Who find ways to remind themselves that they still exist
Like starving on purpose to feel hungry
Or hurting themselves to feel pain

Who don’t even know what to long for
Except by the Grace of the Father

He is The One
Who has a special heart for the orphanages
And invites shame babies
To be His children

That is so wonderful
So why am I stuck in this pretty prison?
When I have a Real Father
Who wants to hold me every second of every day, forever
For no reason at all

Real babies are BAD it seems
Real babies are not all that pretty at first
They are red, and spastic, and do not think
Real babies don’t get hungry on a schedule
Or be quiet when you want them to
Real babies sleep whenever they want to
And need to be touched just because


So if you are a shame baby
Then being a real baby can only be done
By being born again, having a REAL FATHER
And crying out to Him
Until you can see Him smile
Through all the hunger, pain, mess
Screaming, spitting up, and crying.

But you must never, ever give up
Even if all you know is being a bad baby
Because the day will come
That you will feel Him rocking you
You will hear His heartbeat in your ear
You will be real, but you won’t be bad
And you will rest soundly and safely in His arms.
IT’S A PROMISE.