No new number…YET. Maybe our day is tomorrow. I don’t expect much movement though…but the Lord’s timing is ALWAYS perfect and I rest in the God of all comfort—who I am trusting to comfort my baby where ever he is! A couple of random things to share today…
First, I am SO humbled and thankful to be honored today to have my blog chosen as one of the top 100 Christian Women Blogs To my sweet readers who have become friends and who nominated me for this—THANK YOU. I am so honored! They had 10 blogs for 10 different categories—and my blog was chosen for “Learn-a-Latte Blog”. Visit the entire list at the Internet Cafe and have fun browsing some really fun and inspiring blogs! I am humbled to be nominated for this category as I have a “latte-to-learn”…but you know my heart and life are open books—so maybe there’s something in a post here or there that does bless your heart as a reader and encourage you along your journey. Thank you sweet readers for this encouragement to continue learning and sharing what the Lord is teaching me. I am humbled and thankful!!!
Second, you HAVE to read Tom Davis’s book “Fields of the Fatherless”!Buy it RIGHT now here. After I’m done, I am going to read his “Red Letters: Living a Faith that Bleeds”. He is a great writer with a heart for the poor…specifically the orphan. Here is an excerpt from my reading today:
Luke 12:48 says “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” This is another one of those verses that chafes a bit. Of course it does so in a good way, challenging our modus operandi. How I do life may not always be the way I’m supposed to be doing life. If I’m living in comfort and blessing, more is required of me as a follower of Christ. Ouch. Here’s the bottom line of this truth: My “blessings” are opportunities for me to reveal the reality of the faith I proclaim to possess. It’s the proof in the pudding of my beliefs.
Good stuff. Can’t put this down. You’ll read it in a day if you don’t have kids…and 2 or 3 days if you have kids. OK…so my house was a complete MESS today because I couldn’t put it down. So good. SPEAKING OF FOLLOWING CHRIST…many of you read my post earlier this week on the widow “What About Me?” And some of you responded. Wow. I got several emails from people asking to know more about Wiphan and how they could help the widow. The widow is mentioned almost EVERY time the orphan is in scripture–yet she is the one we often forget about. And she is the one that is actually often times CARING FOR the orphan. SO—back to Tom Davis’s bottom line—how can we use our resources…our blessings…to bless the widow?
I got several emails saying “I’m in.”
Remember what the Lord said to Moses? He wasn’t going to carry the burden alone. The Lord is going to raise up people to hold hands together, serve together and impact these women that HE LOVES together. Is the Lord calling you to ACT on behalf of the widow? Is He calling you to be a voice for her?
Next week, the women on Wiphan’s board are going to get together and we are going to create a seperate facet of the ministry where YOU can specifically ministry to the widow. We are praying the God will raise up other women to join us. I want to start in Zambia where the Lord already has us—and MY DREAM would be to take what we have learned from there to Ethiopia…Uganda…where ever He chooses to take us! We are going to hash out the details of what it would look like next week—but we are hoping to have a montly sponsorship program where women from around the world could sponsor our widows program—and they could invest as MUCH as they wanted to in it…writing letters of encouragement, contributing ideas and resources that can be used toward teaching programs for life-training, maybe helping sell things some of the widows create in your community and for some–even going across the world to pour into them on a trip one day. I’ll be posting details next Thursday or Friday. Until then, if you are reading this—I want to ask you to pray for the widow and how the Lord might want to use YOU in her life.
Tom Davis said “the sure way to deprive the poor of justice is to do nothing.” I don’t know what is ahead—but one thing for me that it CAN NOT be—is to do nothing.
One Year Bible Study: Numbers 16-18:32
Numbers 16 – I am absolutely blown away by Moses’s heart. The people are complaining about his leadership. God wants to distroy them when He hears them complaining (again!)…and what does Moses do? What do you think your FIRST reaction would be??? “Okay, God—do what you have to do.” But nope. Not Moses. What does he do…AGAIN? Intercedes. Prays. BEGS on their behalf. (Numbers 16:22) And again…God doesn’t distroy them—yet. They were against him. They insulted him. They discouraged him and drug him down. BUT Moses intereceded—he prayed…and he must have loved them.
Help me Lord love others no matter what like Moses.
But still…they wouldn’t follow Moses and submit to his leadership. They rebelled. And the Lord took the lives of the men rebelling—literally the earth swallowed them up.
And instead of fearing the Lord. The rest of the community complained more. And again–the Lord told Moses to step away so He could distroy them too. AND AGAIN–what does Moses do. Fall to the ground and intercedes again…and the plaque the Lord sent on the people stopped. But 14,700 died. AND THIS REALLY HAPPENED. Wow.
Moses longed for them to know the truth—to trust the Lord—to follow his leadership because the Lord had set him apart to lead.
Two things.
One. Help me Lord love no matter what. Help me Lord to not give up on others who I think there is just no hope for. Help me to fight the good fight—and to literally fight for lives.
And two. Help me Lord to submit. To trust the leadership YOU put in place. And trust withOUT complaining. You have ordained the leadership of the church I am. You have ordained the husband I am married to lead me. You have ordained those over my children’s schools to lead. Help me to submit to those you have put in roles to lead me and my family. I pray I can do it with trust and not complain.
Sidenote confession: I wish I could say I submit without complaining. I confess cleverly complaining—and a complaint is a complaint. By no means am I perfect. But I really want to grow in this area. No one likes to hear complaining—so I don’t even want to cleverly complain to those closest to me. And I really don’t want my Creator to hear me complain. I want to trust the Lord without complaint. THIS WEEKS CHALLENGE—for ONE week–I am going to try to not complain about anything. EEK. Did I just say that? Will you join me? And please hold me accountable! If you decided to do this with me, please let me know so I can send you a note of encouragement and practice the art of accountability. The more you do something it becomes a habit—how I would love to foster the habit of being without complaint!
ooohh clever complaining…I’ve never actually called it that but that’s exactly what I do! And to think God doesn’t know what’s really going on in my heart! Ha! Yes, please count me in. You know I’m praying about the widow and Wiphan. I can’t wait to hear about your meeting and how I might get involved. Congratulations on the award..you are truly deserving!
I too loved reading Fields of the Fatherless. Praying for how He will continue to use me in this cause! Your example keeps me motivated to do more!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
Andrea, First of all, I can’t wait to hear your new numbers. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and following the progress over the past several months. I’ve also enjoyed the crafts and photography tips.
Congratulations on your blog award. Your blog is such a blessing to so many.
Another WOW reading today. I think I could write a book on today’s reading. I think I’m going to have to jump around and toss out my thoughts though to get it all out! So…once again–bear with:)
Numbers 14 – You think your toddlers whine? Well, get this—verse 1. The WHOLE community began weeping aloud. Um. Remeber those numbers how many people were in each tribe? Does that give you a headache just thinking about it? Me too. Wish I could say I would have been Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb—but I have a feeling I would have been one of the thousands of Israelites who took their eyes off God and instead looked at their circumstances…AND WHINED.
The Israelites took their eyes off God—looked to the left and the right. They didn’t have a God picture. A God picture is stepping back and trusting the Lord that He is who He says He is…that’s He is going to do what He says He will do and that He is for us and not against us. Do you believe that?
Okay. So hear goes the hard part. I’m going to quote Warren Wiersbe here because I need to hear it:
When the child of God is in the will of God, there is no place for complaining, even if the circumstances are difficult. The will of God will never lead us where the grace of God can’t provide for us or the power of God can’t protect us. If our daily prayer is, “Thy will be done,” and if we walk in obedience to God’s will, then what is there to complain about? A complaining spirit is evidence of an ungrateful heart and an unsurrendered will. By our grumbling, we’re daring to say that we know more than God does about what’s best for His people!
Forgive me Lord for grumbling. I trust you Lord. Thy will be done.
And then—in verse 13 Moses intercedes on behalf of the people…the Lord has become angry at their grumbling and is going to distroy them—but verse 13 says “But Moses objected…” and he interceded for the Lord to spare the people…again. I love the picture of a RELATIONSHIP here. Moses comes before the Lord and pleads a case–and the Lord listens. Do you believe the Lord will listen to your case? Do you believe your difficult situation is destined for failure? Or do you believe you serve a God who wants you to come before Him and share your heart…to have a RELATIONSHIP with Him…pleading your case and explaining to Him your desires and heart? But in the end–being willing to always say “thy will be done.”
The Israelites had no problems being honest. But they failed to say “thy will be done”. To rebel against God’s will is to rebel against the absolute BEST for your life. And unfortunately, some times—we just don’t want it. And unfortunately that brings God’s judgement. And unfortunately—some times God’s greatest judgement is letting us have our own way. Leaving us later in a much sadder state and crying out more to our Savior. Oh help us to cry out “thy will be done!”
Give us a God picture of our circumstances…and when we can not see it clearly—help us Lord to STILL hold up our hands and say “thy will be done”.
And Speaking of God Pictures…
My sweet friend on staff as a counselor with Campus Crusade for Christ signed me up for a sample “Worldwide Challenge” magazine as a gift to us for supporting her. As chance would have it–we happened to get the March/April 2010 issue. As chance would have it–the front page is a beautiful Ethipion woman. As chance would have it–it’s full of articles about Ethiopia and about the need for the gospel to be spread there. So, when you are a stay-at-home mom with a baby who still takes 2 naps [and to preschoolers that really NEED to get out of the house] and you often feel “stuck in 4 walls”, count on the Lord to bring chances like this to your mailbox;). I hear ya Lord. I hear ya loud and clear.
Meet Kia…
[Photograph By Guy Gerrard]
Kia looky cool. Kia is cool. I likey Kia because Kia is taking the gospel by foot to Ethiopian villages. You can read more about Kia here.
Did you that Ethiopia has a population of 85.2 million (the 3rd most populous nation in Africa)? And the spiritual climate? 50% are Ethiopian Orthodox. 33% are Muslim. 10% are Protestant. 5% have traditional beliefs and 2% falls under “other”. Where does our child’s birth family fall? Because—if my child can’t do life with his birth family HERE. Then I desperately want him to do life with them THERE. And if we are going to spend our lives HERE praying with our son FOR his family—then I have a mission. A mission like Kia’s.
On “mission list“—#1 question to have agency ask birth family: What language to they speak?
Am I crazy? Absolutely.
What are you doing Lord? I went from praying that our child might be a double orphan (selfish me!) so I wouldn’t have to deal with the weight of birth parents still living. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Please forgive me! WHAT IF…
You know “IF” is one of the most powerful and radical words;). I’m just saying. What IF the Lord called me to this place because He is desperately in love with Isaac’s birth family and He wants THEM to know Him?! What IF I get the opportunity to meet with them? What IF…
Oh Lord—help me use this time of waiting to prepare for Your will. May Your will be done! Give us a God picture Lord of how you want to do more with our adoption to glorify you. Amen!
The reading today and your words were such perfect timing! I’ve done a lot of whining this week. Not necessarily for “things” but just whiny about circumstances. Yuck! Forgive me Lord…Thy will be done! Thanks once again for making the scripture come alive!
First I have to say I LOVE your picture of Laney being little mommy. I’m sure my mom would tell you that it reminds her of me when I was little, lol! I carried a baby everywhere I went.
This is what I wrote in my Bible today next to chapter 14.
“God’s way. God’s timing. WITH God’s help. Obstacles we face are too great to be tackled alone but WITH GOD’S HELP, nothing is impossible.” When we take our eyes off of the big picture (the GOD picture) then it’s easy to get overwhelmed and complain. Keeping our eyes on Him will keep us focused on our blessings as well.
I have to admit that when we started this process we were both hoping for a double orphan as well. No longer. After learning more about WHY Birthparents give up their children, I am praying that we get to meet them…as hard as that will be.
I’m all over the place this week…and almost forgot to post this week’s reading. Are ya still with me people??? Don’t give up!!! How completely cool would it be to finish the year together?! OK…I need you people as much as you need me! Let’s spur one another on! Let us not give up on the reading of His Word!
Monday’s Reading: Numbers 6:1-27, Numbers 10:1-36
Numbers 6 This chapter gives the law of the Nazirite people. The Nazirites are NOT Nazarene. Jesus was Nazarene (he also touched the dead and drank wine…something the Nazirites were forbidden to do). Nazirite is a Hebrew word that means “to dedicate, to set apart”. The Lord wants us to be set apart from the world. Campbell Morgan said that when the chruch was the least like the world, the church did the most for the world. Don’t you want this to be true of our lives?!
Numbers 10 – The silver trumpets…these trumpets were to be blown at times of war and in times of celebration—to remind the Lord to rescue and to remind the Lord of His convenant. I’ve never thought about “reminding the Lord” so the way these verses were worded made me think a bit.
The first 10 chapters in Numbers record a nation obeying the Lord…good times. But what is to come (Numbers 10-22) for the most part is a record of their unbelief and failure. Put your seatbelt on. They are getting ready to march on God’s command. And over and over when they marched Moses will repeat “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!” Moses wanted the people to know it was the Lord leading and it would be the Lord leading them to victory. I love that plea before the Lord as it takes me back to my college years. I can hear the prayer of my old pastor’s wife praying this very prayer—over and over she would pray, “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!”
I think of many children and woman across the world in bondage. ARISE, O LORD, AND LET YOUR ENEMIES BE SCATTERED! LET THEM FLEE BEFORE YOU! Lead the least of these to victory—to freedom.
I think of a little 3 year old girl in Uganda “Baby M” who needs a family but will not be freed for one…ARISE, O LORD, AND LET YOUR ENEMIES BE SCATTERED! LET THEM FLEE BEFORE YOU!
I think of victims caught in abusive relationships and homes…children scared and feeling like there is no where to turn…ARISE, O LORD, AND LET YOUR ENEMIES BE SCATTERED! LET THEM FLEE BEFORE YOU! Let us blow our horns together! I picture the people in Who-ville who can’t be heard…but together they blew their horns and ole faithful Horton the Elephant heard them. And when he heard them he fought for them. How often do I look online or hear about groups that are rescuing and think, “Good for them! That’s awesome.” So, I don’t blow my horn. So many are still in bondage. Let us blow our horns loudly—let us cry out to the Lord…Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered! Rescue the people! And use us Lord to do it!
Tuesday’s Reading: Numbers 11-13:33
Today’s reading blew me away. SOOOO GOOD. Amazing how you could read the same words each and every year—but how it can speak so different to you where you are. So…once again—bear with me.
The people complain to Moses. And BAM. The Lord sets a fire to rage among them. Moses prays for it to stop. And it does. As if this wasn’t enough to open up the eyes of the people—they start to complain AGAIN. “Oh for this…” and “wish we had that…” and “all we get is this old manna!” Moses hears their complaints—and both he and the Lord become angry.
I hear ya Moses. I’m diggin’. But this is the way of the world. I often say, “Africa will mess you up.” It’s perspective. And perspective—well, changes everything. China messed me up long before Africa did—Africa was just the icing on the cake. We live in an incredibly RICH culture. We not only have homes to live in—but we have food in our frig, air conditioner and heat and our children have the joys of sports. Really, you and I know the list could go on and on AND ON. But often, we become the Israelites. Even in our attempt of sacrificial living, we look to the left or the right and think “Wish I could get a pedicure.” A pedicure? Am I serious? Did I seriously have that thought? Yes, I did. “Wish I could buy some nice jeans”…and again, the list can go on and on AND ON. But we have plenty. We have our manna. And there is nothing more frustrating to our Creator than our complaining about His provision. But there is something more saddening to Him.
Those in need. The poor. The widow. The orphan.
10 Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the Lord became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated. 11 And Moses said to the Lord, “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? 12 Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors? 13 Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! 15 If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”
Do you feel like you are the only one some days??? Do you feel like you are carrying burdens by yourself??? Some days, is it just too overwhelming that like Moses you just wanna say “take me now!” rather than “use me for your glory, I trust you, and I can do all things through YOU because YOU give me strength.” Oh yeah, like Moses some times I feel like saying, “Do me a favor and spare me this misery.” Can you believe he said that? Some times, I have felt it—I just haven’t gotten the guts to say it…outloud.
You are not alone.
He will provide.
He will call others to join you.
His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
Trust in Him. Don’t give up. And keep Yours eyes on the cross. Do not look to the left or the right. Fight the good fight that He has called YOU to live for—-for HIS glory!
I am a little ahead and in Joshua they blew their horns for 7 days straight …not a single word only horns…and the walls of Jericho came tumblng down ! I think I am going to wear a whistle and blow it each time sin enters my heart ! I am right their with yu on today’s reading in Numbers ! Keep it coming, Andrea !
You’re doing great, Andrea! I’m a few days behind… after the heinousness of the last several weeks… but I’m catching back up… hopefully will be all caught up by the weekend. This accountability thing is WONDERFUL. If you think about it, please pray for our daughter’s test results; they should come back later today and we hope to have a better understanding of what she’s dealing with and next steps. Thanks. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!!! Kiersten is our case manager – though I’ve heard that they’re all fabulous! I’m praying for our # on Friday and have been told it’s right around 30 right now for the boys … so we’ll see! SOOO exciting though! You should get your March update soon, too, right? I can’t wait to see how much the numbers have decreased – hoping it goes fast! You have such a beautiful family!! 🙂
I’m finally caught up on readings too. And MAN Tuesday’s reading was great, I agree! I’m right there with you, looking to the left and the right wishing I had something I didn’t. And then in the next breath I’m furious at myself. Why can’t I have that? BECAUSE WE’RE ADOPTING!!! What do I want more? Some new makeup (or car, or jewlery, or clothes, or computer, ect) or my baby? Easy peasy, right? You would think! And yet I struggle with it EVERY DAY! Ugh….I make myself furious with myself. Reading 11:4-6 I was SO frustrated that they were seriously wishing to be back in Egypt! But how often have I done that? Reflect on the past because of difficult circumstances. Umm…every day maybe?!? So what’s the deal? My commentary (summerized) makes it simple. When you are no longer seeing with eyes of faith, you fail to see the big picture – the GOD picture. Keep our eyes on God and his promises.
Make the most of every opportunity…even in your crafts, let the Light of the World shine on your precious children…
Because Easter is about new life—the resurrection of our Savior—I use eggs to teach my teeny ones about dying to our old selves and new life in Christ. And because He IS the Light of the World–pairing the egg symbolizing new life with a candle–leads to sweet discussion about our Savior who offers an abundant, radiant new life for those who believe…
You can find my step by step guide for this craft in the craft link (later tonight), but may these verses be your true inspiration as you guide your family to celebrate the true reason of Easter…the baskets, bunnies and egg hunts are fun…but only He can change the heart. He is the reason we celebrate Easter. The cross brought death, but 3 days later brought the reason we celebrate. Do you believe the Easter story? Do you believe He died on the cross and 3 days later He was raised from the dead? Have you experienced the miracle of Him in your heart? Well, I have! And call me crazy (it’s Crazy Love I tell ya), but there is nothing more I want my children to take from Easter than understanding what it is really about…
Easter Kids Devotional and Craft: Egg Candles
As you take out the eggs…talk to your children about when they obey the Lord and His ways and when they choose not to obey. When we choose not to obey, this is sin. Our YUCK (or yolk;). But just as an egg is a symbol of NEW LIFE we are also offered a new life when we ask Jesus into our hearts. When we have Jesus in our hearts, we will be new—and each day we can walk with Him, talk with Him whenever we want and He will lead and guide us—being our light in the darkness.
As you dye your eggs…talk to your children how each of us look different. How we each have different gifts from God. But how the Lord loves each of us the same. The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). Ask them how they are different. Ask them what they think their special gifts are. Help them see how the Lord has given them different qualities, and remind them how much He loves them.
As you clean out the eggs…talk to your children how even in our yuck–the Lord still loves us. Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This means no one is perfect, we have all disobeyed and we all are in need of a Savior to forgive and lead us in new life. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that He sent His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” But God didn’t wait until we lived perfectly before He spoke to our hearts…“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).So, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He died on the cross, to offer us new life. He wants to break us…giving us a heart that is repentant…and make our hearts like His.
As you fill the eggs with wax…tell your children how He wants to fill their hearts with Him–with His Holy Spirit. God wants to fill us up with Himself and make us new—give us a new life. Jesus says in John 3:3, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again.” Being born again means becoming a new person through Christ. It means loving through Christ…living through Christ and falling in love with Him as you spend time with Him each day. In Romans 12:2 the Bible says for us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and then we will know His direction for our lives—so daily we come to Him and seek His truth and guidance. When a friend is having a hard day…what can we do to help them? We seek God and ask Him how He wants us to care for them and love them. When our sister or brother is unkind, we can go to Him and let Him be the one who fill us and then go to our sister or brother and love them as He would love them—anyway…regardless. As He fill our hearts–we can shine as He shines.
As you light your new candle…tell your children how He is the reason for Easter—He is the light of the world. “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12) This Easter, when you see these candles burning—let them be a reminder that we are offered new life in Christ, that He is the light of the world so faithful to forgive and redeem us and that we are to now shine our lights so others may know Him and get to experience life through Him. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Thank you Lord for being a light in the darkness. Thank you that we are offered new life in You. Thank you for loving us while we were still sinners—full of yuck…for cleansing us and making us new. Use us Lord as we shine our lights to the world—may our lives be living sacrifices to you…a fragrant aroma as we live lives to bring glory to Your name.
Ok…for those of you wanting a scoop from the Adopting for Life Conference…here goes my 2 cents. If you are a believer, you are called in some way to live a life of redemption for the glory of God. Our God is a redeeming God. He heals the sick. He fathers the fatherless. He forgives sin. He brings life to death. And in some way–when and if you become His, He wants to use YOU to help redeem.
Really, when we become His—each of us will be called to play a very specific and important role in healing…redeeming…and bringing glory to His name. If you are His–He wants to use YOU to help furfill His glorious plan of redemption. Was this the theme of the Adopting for Life conference? Well, it wasn’t written anywhere–but for me, it was the resounding theme as I heard speakers like David Platt preach on Ruth being redeemed by Boaz…
Brothers and sisters, we are Ruth. We have done nothing to earn or deserve the favor of God. We were wandering with nothing and God has pursued us. God has stooped to save you from harm. God has protected you and provided for you. God alone has the right to redeem us. God alone has the resources to save us. And He, praise God, has the resolve to redeem us. And Jesus has resolved to obey to the point of death. Jesus has taken a cross and taken my sin and your sin and taken it upon Himself to die in our place. That is the Gospel. That Gospel is how God saves us and that Gospel should be the backdrop in our minds as we carry out physical adoption.
We aren’t all called to adopt. We aren’t all called to foster. We aren’t all called to be missionaries in third world countries. But I do know as believers we are all called to redeem. We ARE *all* called to help the poor—and to visit orphan and widow in their distress. We are. Well, the Bible tells us as believers to serve the poor, care for the widow and take care of the orphan (Lev.23:22, Duet 14:28-29, Duet 15:4, Prov.28:27, Prov.29:7, Prov.31:9, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 58:10, Isaiah 61:1, Matt.19:21, Matt.25:38, Luke 12:33, Luke 18:22, 1 Tim.5:3, James 1:27, 1 Jn.3:17-18…) We each have a role…a VITAL, IMPORTANT role in helping the widow, the orphan and the poor…and when EACH of us follows Him with abandonment—HIS GLORY IS REVEALED! When each of us follows and puts themselves aside—REDEMPTION BEGINS FOR THE HURTING! And there is only one way to find YOUR calling…surrender to Him—like Ruth…allow the Lord to scoop you up, redeem you, save you, and then WORK THROUGH YOU! You will find His will for your life…your vital call for His glory and their redemption when you seek Him with all of your heart…
As I sat at the Wiphan booth and looked around the room…I thought about so many people I am surrounded by who have followed their call…not always easy—but who are bringing redemption to the hurting and shining a beautiful example of the body of Christ. EACH plays such a different role…and in the end—it’s a beautiful tapestry of God’s glory. My heart—I know has been called to the birth family and widow…it is passionate to have their voices heard and to create opportunities for them to be offered hope in this life and to hear about Him in the process. I am haunted by heartbreak of the widow…and as I have prayed “help me Lord to understand her hurt and her heart” many days I have been brought to my knees in tears…and I get to serve through Wiphan Care and put some of my creativity to action for the sake of the widows. I *know* the Lord called us also to adopt…and I am curious how these two passions of mine will meet together in the months ahead. I believe the Lord has a plan.
I smiled sitting there as I thought of my friend Kristi who adopted a baby girl from Ethiopia last June…and upon her return she has used her voice for the orphan—the ones who have already been given up from their birth families. She posts children in need on her blog and helps them find a forever family. If you know Kristi, the girl loves to talk—but she now uses that voice of hers for the orphan and she is not only filling His plan of redemption for the orphan…but for her as well as she literally becomes more alive through helping place families!
Then I thought of Dawn who is a stay-at-home home school mom who has adopted seven beautiful children…6 from the states and 1 from Ethiopia…and they are hoping and praying for #8. She loves those children of hers and quietly encourages others on their own journey…she is the cheerleader for the families called to adoption patting them on the back and although she has endured 7 long waiting adoptions, lost a sweet baby girl in the process and battled with losing a referral—she continues to encourage families called to adopt…another beautiful offering of helping others redeem.
Another adopting mommy came to my mind…my friend Lindsey who adopted a little girl from Ethiopia and her heart for birth mothers beats like my own–and she and her family and packing up and moving to Africa this summer to live and help create business opportunties for the poor. Lindsey will be working in orphanges similar to the one her own daughter was brought to, and her eyes were opened more and more to the poor after bringing home their little girl. But it was through her adoption that God showed her how He really wanted to use her to help the poor, the orphan and the widow. They are selling their house, packing up their family and going across the world to serve and offer hope to the hopeless.
Then I looked beside me—at Addie. She is a mommy of two beautiful children…and she doesn’t have a blog (or I’d attach it…and you’d be blown away) because she is so stinkin’ busy serving women here in Atlanta and Wiphan Care…but I’m so blessed because I get to watch this girl mother and serve. Addie is called to be a mom of two children—but I remind her often that she has 450 orphans, 150 widows AND at the same time she serves on a ministry here for women as well. She and her husband are literally addicted to serving orphans and widows like you wouldn’t believe…and having a smaller family has freed this precious family up to serve their world even more.
Which then leads me to smile as I think of Addie’s friend Meredith who is called to Safe Families…and being a “middle mom“…who is putting her heart out there to fall in love with babies and then give them back to their moms after they are able to get their feet on the ground. Another beautiful picture of living a life helping others be redeemed.
Each of these looked so completely different as I thought of them. One serving the widow. Another the orphan. Yet another the adopting family. Another a mom who just needed a few weeks to get her feet back on the ground before giving up hope. Such wonderful pictures of redemption. Such a beautiful picture of the body of Christ. And really—this is what I thought most about at the conference this weekend. That we aren’t all called to adopt…but we are all called to serve the widow, the orphan and the poor.
And the most beautiful thing of all—is there is nothing more redeeming than following the Lord in being used to redeem others. There is nothing more furfilling. Nothing more exciting! We should all be constantly pouring into the poor, the widow and the orphan. There is really no other way as believers to live…and there is no greater way to spend our time. Lead us Lord to those you desire to serve. Show us Lord where you want to use us. Give us the direction to go Your way and the courage to follow…no matter what.
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:31-46
Thanks for all the links and sharing your heart everyday. I listen to David Platt on my podcasts and think he is an amazing pastor sharing the word of God. Plus, my study this morning included Ruth! I love when we have those little coincidences! 😉 Congratulations on an awesome seminar and experiencing God’s redeeming love all around!
amen sista! I only got to listen to russell moore and david platt through live stream online and not the break out sessions but those two messages alone were awesome! :0)
To my sweet readers who have become friends and who nominated me for this—THANK YOU. I am so honored! They had 10 blogs for 10 different categories—and my blog was chosen for “Learn-a-Latte Blog”. Visit the entire list at the Internet Cafe and have fun browsing some really fun and inspiring blogs! I am humbled to be nominated for this category as I have a “latte-to-learn”…but you know my heart and life are open books—so maybe there’s something in a post here or there that does bless your heart as a reader and encourage you along your journey. Thank you sweet readers for this encouragement to continue learning and sharing what the Lord is teaching me. I am humbled and thankful!!!
Buy it RIGHT now here. After I’m done, I am going to read his “Red Letters: Living a Faith that Bleeds”. He is a great writer with a heart for the poor…specifically the orphan. Here is an excerpt from my reading today:
[Photograph By Guy Gerrard]
by admin
Praying for the widow and how He might use Me. (i like this).
ooohh clever complaining…I’ve never actually called it that but that’s exactly what I do! And to think God doesn’t know what’s really going on in my heart! Ha! Yes, please count me in. You know I’m praying about the widow and Wiphan. I can’t wait to hear about your meeting and how I might get involved. Congratulations on the award..you are truly deserving!
p.s. I loved Fields of the Fatherless and Red Letters. Have you read “Hole in our Gospel?” Another outstanding book!
So looking forward to hearing more about the new program!
(Just started Red Letters–loving it!)
i’ve been wanting to read that book so thanks for reminding me of it!
I too loved reading Fields of the Fatherless. Praying for how He will continue to use me in this cause! Your example keeps me motivated to do more!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
I absolutely LOVED that book!!! I’m enjoying ‘The Hole…’ and another one you would love is Adopted For Life. http://www.amazon.com/Adopted-Life-Priority-Adoption-Christian/dp/1581349114/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267817405&sr=8-1 I have the Red Letters too and need to pull it out and finish it! I get so sidetracked sometimes! LOL 🙂
Andrea, First of all, I can’t wait to hear your new numbers. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and following the progress over the past several months. I’ve also enjoyed the crafts and photography tips.
Congratulations on your blog award. Your blog is such a blessing to so many.