Thursday, November 28, 2013

Finding joy through thanksgiving

I love the Facebook tradition of using the month of Thanksgiving to post a daily public acknowledgement of what we are grateful for, but I only remember to read my Bible because I write it on the wall — literally. So, I don't set myself up for disappointment with such lofty goals.  My memory simply can't keep up!

I did get the opportunity to reflect on gratitude with two challenges from two friends — one who shared this:

Ask God to open your eyes to the many things in your life that speak to His presence. Look for and record evidence of God around you. Today, start a thankful journal listing the many things around you for which you are thankful. It’s amazing, the more we recognize even the smallest things as gifts from God, the more we start to realize how present He is in our lives.


And another who gave me a journal. 

Before I got the journal, I set aside a few moments just to write as much as I could about what I'm thankful for. These are the words that fell to my paper:

What am I thankful for? 

MY MOTHER for choosing life for me when she gave birth to me but fled from her first, unhealthy marriage. 
MY FATHER for loving and choosing me. 
MY SISTERS for putting up with me — the good, the bad and the ugly. 
MY BUMPY ROAD — every ridiculous relationship, all the bad advice and the many failures. For I could never find success if I wasn't brave enough to go out and risk failure by trying.
MY AMAZING HUSBAND who only God could know would perfectly suit me the way he does. 
MY EDUCATION because not all girls are so privileged. How blessed am I to live in a country where I could get a master's degree and not fear my safety while attending even elementary and high school in my community. 
MY CHILDREN who humble, amaze and inspire me every day. They are so unique and full of personality. They challenge me to want more out of life. 
MY CHURCH FAMILY who have truly been there for me, showed up for me, loved me, served me and supported me in countless ways!
MY IN-LAWS who loved me like their own, enveloping me into a family that offers me a second set of parents and more joy and encouragement than I deserve. 
MY AMAZING MIGHTY STRONG GIRLS GIRLFRIENDS who give me a healthy perspective of friendship. They bless me, and I love these women. These ladies are the heart and soul of this ministry, and they are like sisters to me. 
MY SAVIOR who died for me, extends me grace and loves me like no other. God has been the life-changer for me, as I came to understand the gift of Jesus, the reality of faith and the evidence of the Holy Spirit. I only wish I had come to the conclusion that God is real and He loves me much sooner. 

As I reviewed this initial list, it occurred to me it had nothing tangible on it. Nothing I can hold or display in a shadow box. No luxurious house, no cars, no vacations, no career. Nothing in a "black Friday" advertisement. Just relationships. 

I'm relieved. I think I'm starting to figure this thing out. Life isn't a list of "stuff" or even a checklist (bucket list?) of experiences. It's not how many days I've clocked in at a job or the number of digits on a paycheck. It's not what I've done or what I've got. It's people I'm most grateful for. It's relationships that bring me joy. 

I've begun my journal. In my notebook, I plan to record ALL things that bring me joy in the past and present. Those moments, people, smells, experiences, tastes and reminders that fill me with gratitude. 

God's word for me in 2014 is JOY. And not only do I think He wants it for me, I believe He wants me to run after it, to have reckless abandon to pursue it. In the good times and in the bad. Joy comes when I can reflect on the little things, the relationships and the gifts from God that I'm so thankful to have in my life. Joy comes in the stressful moments, too, when I choose to put my mind in a place where it's always looking for what fills me up with thanksgiving.

Will you join me? Grab a small notebook. Carry it everywhere. Write it in. In the good times and in the bad. In the delightful moments and in the dark, painful times. Find the life things to be grateful for....the people, the promises, the smells, sounds, tastes and sights that fill up your heart. 

Monday, November 25, 2013

Dear Abby


Dear Abby,


     As you have approached this your 11th birthday, I’ve watched the transition beginning. A girl adopting the traits of a young woman. It seems opportune for me to share with you some of my words. Words of reflection. Words of love. Words of encouragement. Maybe even words of inspiration.


     You already know that I never wanted to be the mom of a daughter. I wanted boys — two boys to be exact. They seemed somehow easier, less complicated. Being the mom of boys, I figured, would give me more confidence in my own parenting abilities. It would make me “look good.” I'm glad you and I can laugh about this now!


     God clearly had other plans.


     You were His plan. I was His plan. For us, He had an amazing vision. That you would challenge me to see the world differently. That you would allow me a glimpse into the world of ADHD. That you would inspire me to see others as the beautiful, unique creations they are. That you would allow me to love without judging. That you would give me grace as we stumbled along this mother-daughter thing without worrying about whether we were doing it “right” but that we would do it as a team — constantly extending grace to one another as we messed up.


     Even in my wildest dreams, I never saw you, Abby. I never imagined I would have a daughter like you. As I write this, I try to think of adjectives for your awesomeness but they seem somewhat constricting — bold, strong, feminine, creative, unique, infectious, compassionate. These won’t do. They box you in. You are you. And you are amazing. There aren’t adequate adjectives for you, my dear.


     God has such great plans. He is the Mighty One.

Because of you, I loved Katie when I didn’t even know her. Because of you and Katie, I was open to hearing God when He gave me a glimpse of His vision for girls — Mighty Strong Girls — and invited me (incapable, imperfect, despicable me) to be part of His amazing plans.


     Abby, it’s because of you. But it’s because you allow God to flow through you. God is at work in you, and if you allow Him, He will always be at work in you.


     To you, Mighty Strong Girls is awesome because it’s a publication, because it reminds girls that they are wonderfully and uniquely made, because it’s a place where creativity and uniqueness reign.


     What you probably don’t know about Mighty Strong Girls is that it has a list of values. Values, as you know, are the characteristics, traits and behaviors that guide our lives. As I wrote the values for Mighty Strong Girls, I was thinking of you.


     And so for your 11th birthday, I want to begin a tradition of wishing these for you.


     I wish for you to: 


·      Always value a positive, healthy and Biblical portrayal of girls and women.
    

I hope you will understand always why it’s not healthy to objectify another human being. That means, I hope you never think of or treat a person like a “thing.” Sometimes we do this in subtle ways, like using Photoshop to make a girl have plastic-looking skin or shave a few inches from her waist or remove her beautiful freckles.
Nobody likes to talk about it, but the truth is sometimes girls sexualize other girls, too. That means we believe another girl’s worth comes from her sex appeal, or how desirable (ie., pretty, gorgeous, hot, sexy) she is to boys. People aren’t meant to be consumed, and when we use words like this, it reduces them to “eye candy.” Candy is a thing, not a person. How we portray and view each other must always be centered on the human element of who they are and who God designed them to be!



·       Value purity.
This is a big concept that we will talk about a lot as you get older. But for now, it means dressing in a way that accentuates your inner self and doesn’t draw excessive or inappropriate attention to your physical being. More importantly, it means guarding your innocence. God loves His children, especially the young children. Because they aren’t overly critical, judgmental or poisoned by the toxic effects of the world. Your innocence is a gift. Cherish it and embrace your childhood for as long as you want! Don’t watch shows or movies designed for adults; don’t listen to music that de-values life; don’t surround yourself with people who want you to do more grown-up things to be acceptable to them. Being pure not only honors God, but it also will allow you to rise to be the best version of you that God designed. You will love yourself and live with fewer regrets when you choose purity!

  • value authenticity and honesty. 
    I know this is an area you struggle with, and I understand why! Sometimes I make you feel shameful for things like taking food into your room at night, breaking the rules, etc. I hate what that does to you! No matter how shameful someone makes you feel about being honest, never shy away from telling the truth. Sometimes shame helps us see the bad behaviors we have that God wants us to change, and even though it feels uncomfortable, it’s a good thing for us. Sometimes shame just makes us want to keep covering up lies with more lies. Even if your behavior is a sin, God doesn’t want you to hide it from others. He cannot help you overcome bad behavior if it’s hidden in the dark. I want you to never feel so ashamed about something that you need to lie. Be honest, and God will meet you where you’re at. He will bring people in your life to help you conquer whatever stronghold is causing you to stumble. He loves you immensely, even when you fail. Don’t be afraid of failing occasionally. Never forget that you are never a failure to God or to me just because you sometimes fail! I just read a story about Mother Theresa saying that when our failures bring us closer to God, it's like being "kissed by Jesus." What a beautiful picture of the grace of being real.

  • value prayer. 
    Part of being an honest and authentic person is living in the light. That means sharing your life with God and people you trust. Always keep an open dialogue with God. You can talk to Him throughout the day. You can talk to Him during devoted times of the day — morning, evening and at meals. You can even talk to Him in a prayer journal. Journals are awesome, because you can go back and see how He has answered prayers. It’s a great tool to grow your faith!

  • value a world view.
    Don’t be afraid to educate yourself about the past and the present. It’s important to know the issues that others face. Girls just like you living in poverty, exploitation (remember those children working in toy factories in China!) and hunger. It’s important that you know girls like you are living on the other side of the globe with diseases like HIV/AIDS, pnueumonia and cholera which are not their fault and they are easily treatable if they have access to medicine.

    It’s important to know your past, too. You should know the struggles that women faced to give you the rights you have today. It’s important to embrace all of this with an attitude of gratitude, rather than bitterness and anger.  Never forget God has a plan for you and for oppressed girls across the globe. If you thank Him for what He has already done and what He’s doing, He will reveal to you how He is at work in these situations. He never leaves any of us! When you have that clear vision, you will be able to hear Him when He calls you to do His work — whether it’s right here or in another country or culture. Not only can you be part of the solution, I believe you ARE! God wants to use His people to change the world. That’s you, my dear Abby!

  • value creation of local and global communities of like-minded believers.
    Use the Internet, your blog, the resources of Mighty Strong Girls and your creativity not only to connect with other girls like you but to communicate with them. When someone does or shares something with you that has an impact on you and your faith, let her know! That affirmation girls can (but often don’t) graciously give one another builds you all up and creates an army that will be unstoppable! Be a girl who lifts up and doesn’t tear down other girls. 

  • value discipleship. 
    Never ever be afraid to share the Gospel. Sometimes that’s telling someone about Jesus. Other times it’s sharing your own testimony about how God has worked in your life. And every day you can be His disciple when you allow Him to use you to be the hands, feet and mouth of Jesus!

  • value a commitment of service. 
    Jesus was the ultimate servant! Never stop thinking about how you can serve others. I feel I don’t need to say much about this, because you already know. You are so giving and compassionate, and that’s what makes you an equal member of the body of Christ. Serving will encourage and inspire not only others but also you! Nothing is more awesome than seeing the Body of Christ come alive when the members share resources with one another. When you serve, you become a living example of Jesus. Serving is contagious when you do it with joy in your heart!

  • value daily Bible reading. 
    I know this is also a struggle for you, but stay in the word of God. This is one way He speaks to you! If you can’t stay focused on it, use the audio Bible, read devotions, read stories and graphic novels based on the word. There are many creative ways you can continue to be in His word. It’s so exciting to get encouragement from Him, but it’s also through this commitment that you can be sure He is giving you directions for your life. Trust God with prayer and Bible reading, and watch Him do huge things in your life and in the world. 


I love you, dear Abby.


From your blessed momma


Friday, November 22, 2013

Faith that runs with abandon


     Mindlessly tidying up the kitchen, I caught a shadowy glimpse out of the corner of my eye. A giant, it seemed, skirting quickly but awkwardly past the window.

     Seven hundred mopped up crumbs and six seconds later.

     “Momma. Momma. You have to come here. You HAVE to see what we just found,” they hollered, heavy feet hitting the floor, doors slamming open. Dog barking. 

     My senses, sluggish from the moments of silence I’d just savored, jerked to a start at the commotion.

     “Hang on. Hang on,” I pleaded, slowly wandering into the other room to locate shoes. And wondering, “What on earth did my children dig up this time? Ugh. It will be dirty. And messy, no doubt. And I’ll be stuck cleaning up the mess.”

     I did my best to paint on a smile and follow their impatient prompting to the garage.

     Where did sit behind my minivan a small pile of enormous pieces of metal.

     Which explains the giant passing before my front window.

     Which explains my children’s unquenchable excitement.

     They love to collect aluminum.

     “Is it aluminum, Mom, is it?” they ask, jump-dancing in muddy shoes-too-big, practically squealing.

     “I don’t know,” I proceed slowly, wondering how exactly I should react in the best supportive mommy role. “We’ll have to ask dad when he gets home. In the meantime, can you put it on this side of the garage so I won’t run over it when we leave to go up to the school?”

     That was it. That was all.

     On Monday, my children were playing outside when they saw these rather large, jagged pieces of what turned out to be aluminum blowing across the field near our house. Remnants of the storm the day before that passed over with authority before evolving into a tornado and devastating a community, literally flattening hundreds of homes not-too-far north of ours.

     They didn’t think about the fact that the ragged pieces, twisted corners and bulky weight of these tiles could slice open their legs as they raced across the field to show off their find.

     All they thought was, “This could be aluminum.”

     Why are they so excited about aluminum?

     Recycled aluminum can bring in a decent chunk of change. Particularly big pieces. I imagine from what they know of aluminum and money, it could make them “rich.”

     But they weren’t thinking of themselves at all.

     They weren’t thinking about the potential to be seriously hurt.

     They weren’t thinking about cashing it in for personal gain.

     They weren’t thinking about a stack of toys they could buy with the money.

     They were thinking only about other people.

     They were thinking about Chance Newingham, who collects and cashes in aluminum to buy food.

     They were thinking about the 20 hungry children who live in the orphanage in Sierra Leone who would be the beneficiaries of that food.

     They were living out their faith.

     And all I was thinking in that moment was, “You could have been hurt.” “You put that in my way.” “Now we’re running late.”

     Four days later and after complaining several times about having to navigate around the pile, the gravity of this little event sunk in.

     There I was, content in a rare moment of solitude, checking things off my to-do list and protesting while my children ran with abandon.

     They ran with abandon of fear, frustration, discontentment, selfishness and anxiety.

     They ran with confidence to live out the gospel.

     They ran without regard for self but motivated by the love they have for brothers and sisters they’ve never met.

     Oh, how heavy was my heart when I realized how I disregarded this act of courage!
     
     That God did, does and continues to allow beauty to rise from ashes. That a storm so catastrophic in central Illinois could somehow touch the lives of orphans on the west coast of Africa.
     
     How often, do you suppose, do we neglect to notice the selfless love our children effortlessly throw out all over the place? Focusing instead on what’s on our calendar or our to-do list. Chastising them for making us late, goofing off or caring about “silly things.”

     Is it any wonder that Jesus loved children so much? Is it any wonder that He tells us we should have faith like theirs? Matthew 19:14, Matthew 18:3

     What a beautiful picture my children painted.

     If I could do it over, I would stand in the front yard and cheer for them. No, I would run with them — run with abandon — to do the small things. The small things that turns out are really the big things.




Monday, November 11, 2013

Planks, specks and pillow talk

     I got angry today. I got mad when my husband told me my daughter was grief-stricken at rehearsals for the musical "Annie." 
     She's been a yo-yo of behavior lately — some days are horrendous; other days are exceptional. I'm not sure if this is diet-related or hormone related or growth spurt related or sleep related. But it's definitely a byproduct of living with ADHD. Long periods of predictability followed by slumps of the usual no longer working as it's expected to and some head scratching to figure out how to get back on track. 
     Go figure...this often happens every November — before her birthday and then Christmas. Plus, the excitement of the musical and the opportunity to be part of it. I think it's just because she's a bundle of nervous energy.  
     Apparently a woman told her to stop misbehaving at practice because "you know, lots of girls were lined up to be in 'Annie' and would love to be here in your place." 
     What the heck? 
     You don't know my child or understand her and yet you feel enlightened enough about her to throw that judgement on her. I don't know what your intent was but this is the message she took away: I'm not that good. I'm barely good enough. I don't belong here.
     She may be wild. She may seem like she is disobedient, rude and uncontrollable to you. But what you can't tell until you get to know her is that she is compassionate, trusting, loving, kind, creative and adoring. She isn't afraid of homeless people, drug addicts or orphans. She has served them all. She loves unconditionally, and I guarantee she wasn't judging you before you made that remark. 
     As I was letting these mad thoughts fester, it occurred to me that just moments earlier I had made snap judgements about other people. Literally, just moments before this. People who have good intentions, who are loving and kind. But they aren't perfect. Just like my Abby isn't perfect. Neither am I. Nor is this woman who decided to reveal her condemnation to my daughter. 
     Lately, I've been bothered by something. This little habit people have on social media to take photos of "weird" people doing "weird things. 
     It bothers me, even though I admit I have laughed on occasion at Awkward Family Photos and that website with photos of unsuspecting people in Wal-mart. 
     I'm concerned that suddenly with the explosion of phone cameras and social media that we get to take bullying to a whole new level. I'm worried because suddenly if you think someone is strange, you can document it and then ask your friends to agree by "liking" it. 
     Why does this worry me? 
     Well, probably because I'm afraid I'll be bending over to tie a shoe one day and someone will take a photo of my plumber's crack and post it online. Or that I'll be caught in some strange pose with some weird expression....you get the idea. 
     Actually, that earnestly doesn't bother me that much. It kinda makes me laugh. Because I'm pretty secure in my identity. But it makes my heart ache for Abby, who cares a great deal.
     So I wonder, "Who do you think you are that you are empowered to make fun of people in their weakness or poke fun of anyone — whose story you do not know — for any reason that seems to be justified in your head?"
     I don't laugh when I see those posts. I get sad. And skeptical of the human race. We think we've come so far, but really, we just use new tools to enforce old (and bad) behaviors. 
     We judge. We condemn. We shame. Especially people who are a little outside normal. People with disabilities, sensitivities. Anyone who sticks out from a crowd.
     Because we think somehow we are made better. 
     Shame on us. 
     Man (and woman) are created equal. ALL of us. EVERYWHERE. You are no better because you have a higher paying job, a degree, a special certificate on your wall, a longer resume, work more hours, stay home with your kids, speak three languages, etc., etc. 
     Jesus said to check the plank in your eye before you go messing with the speck you see in someone else's eye. And He extended grace and mercy to absolutely everyone. No one was better than another one. 
     Abby came home tonight and confessed something. She was exhausted last night. I read a chapter to her in a book, tucked her in, and she was out. 
     But apparently she woke up at 11 p.m. and never fell back to sleep. 
     It happens. A lot to her. 
     She crawled on my lap. I hugged her and told her that the problem isn't her. I explained to her that the woman had no right. I explained that sometimes people will say mean things. Things they don't mean. Things they do mean but are mean all the same. But none of that will change her unless she lets it. 
     "I know, Mommy, that I'm supposed to know that, but my love language is words of encouragement," she says in her so-grown-up, almost 11, bravest tone. "I try to build other people up, and I like it when they build me up." 
     The remark. It shut her down. Like an engine deprived of gasoline. The rudeness, the carelessness, it somehow turns off the part of her brain that helps temper her mood and her focus. She was motored by her ADHD all night after that. Wild. Uncontrollable. Daddy embraced her. They talked. Another kind woman helped. 
     She was doing better by the time she hit my lap. I embraced her, noticing how much longer her legs were than the last time we did this.
     I made her oatmeal with mashed up bananas and sugar. I told her to forgive the woman. That she probably didn't mean it. That maybe she was having a bad day. That we all have bad days. That she's also judged people the way the woman judged her. That it's our responsibility to extend grace, even when people don't deserve it, because God extended it to us even though we didn't deserve it.
        Then against my own desires, I pulled her dirty, stinky, fluffy pajama pants out of the dirty laundry and let her wear them for the sixth night in a row. Because they make her feel good. Secure. Comfy.
     And that made me the best mom ever. 
     I sat on her bed next to her and listened to her plans for rearranging her room while I rubbed lavender on her feet. 
     She began to cry. 
     "What if I can't sleep again? What if I pray to God again and He doesn't answer again? What's my plan B?"
     "You can get up and write in your journal. Sometimes when I pray for God to put me back to sleep and it doesn't work, I ask Him if there's someone else He'd like me to pray for. That usually does the trick." 
     I began to pray for her, but she quickly interrupted me. 
     "I know what to do, Mommy....
     "Heavenly Father, Please bring comfort to my brother and sister who are living in an orphanage right now. I know life can't be easy for them. They must be scared. I know you want them to be part of our family. Please let them know you care and give them even a little bit more comfort than they had yesterday. Amen." 
     I don't know about her, but after pillow talk like that, I'm pretty sure I'll have sweet dreams tonight. 

Sunday, November 3, 2013

The reveal of No. 7

     She was 9 years old when her parents sat her down for a kind of a "birds and the bees" sort of chat. 
     The little girl had been asking questions. Never all that good at math, she couldn't understand why she had celebrated more birthdays than her parents had marked anniversaries. It didn't add up, but rather than ask why, she just kept repeating the same question. 
     "How many years have you been married?" she asked again just after their November wedding anniversary. 
     Finally they explained. 
     Her mom had previously been married, and she was born when her biological father was serving a tour of duty in the Vietnam War. 
     He wasn't exactly the same when he returned. Addicted to drugs and uninterested in being a real dad, the little girl's mom was courageous enough to run from an abusive and neglected marriage. 
     God intended better for her. What a blessing that this brave woman would recognize that! 
     The little girl was just a baby when the woman met her second husband. He was interested in being a real dad — but not just to children he would have with her. He also very much loved that baby (even though she may have barfed on him a few times!) and wanted her to be his very own. 
     He desired for this special girl to be his daughter, to share his last name and his life. He didn't just tolerate her or accept her. He choose her! She was legally adopted into this new family that would later include two sisters, too. 

     That beautiful illustration of adoption is the "once upon a time" of my life. 
     My story wasn't a fairytale. It wasn't entirely void of grieving, anger, misbehavior or confusion (why wouldn't the one who had me choose me?) as the years unfolded. I wasn't always the best daughter; my dad wasn't a perfect earthly dad. But he loved me in spite of all my shortcomings with an unconditional love.
     This story sure looks a lot like the one that the Author and Perfecter of life has for all of us. We might rebel, act out, disobey — but He STILL wants us, loves us and daily He chooses us! 
     Because adoption transformed my life, I've always had a special place in my heart for it. 
     As Dan and I began our own journey to build a family, we ran into some struggles. Infertility. After six months of tests, blood draws, shots and pain, we conceived. 
     I was pregnant when we traveled out of state for a wedding. I didn't think that the last insemination had worked, and neither of us were super fond of the whole process. It was taxing on our relationship, and due to medical/work situations, another insemination would be difficult logistically and financially. 
     We had a heart-to-heart during our long drive. And decided we would adopt. We knew that we could add to our family, offer love to a child who needed parents and honor the very act of choosing that had such a profound impact on me. 
     That, of course, never happened. I was pregnant, and by the grace of God, I delivered a healthy 6 lb., 14 oz. baby girl eight months later. 
     Somehow, I got pregnant right around the time of Abby's first birthday, and our second miracle was born into this world in 2004. 
     God was so good to us, despite the fact that we — at that time — were rather unruly, disobedient children. (In fact, we only sought to attend church when our children were toddlers — aware that it would be "good for them," and completely unaware of the total transformation God intended for us!)
     The idea of adoption quickly faded and disappeared entirely. 
     Until 2012. 
     I attended an orphans conference, heard the most amazing testimonies and decided it was time to revisit this desire of my heart. I knew then and there that I wanted to adopt. To give one of the 167 million children a forever home. 

     Micah 6:8 says, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." 

     Right after I left the conference, I got in the car with Dan and the kids and told them I thought God wanted us to adopt. Dan was immediately agreeable! God really blessed me with a husband who seems to enjoy going along with anything that makes me happy. Still, this was huge, and I was kind of surprised. 
     But I wasn't happy with Dan's choice. I wanted him to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was right for us, that it was God's will for us. 
     About 10 months later at a church leadership story one of the speakers told a brief story about adopting one of his children. It was hardly the theme of the conference, let alone the theme of his talk, but it was then that Dan knew it was what God wanted for our family. 
     But I had just begun a new ministry, our finances — which had been healthy (we had been debt-free except our home) — were a mess again, and we were busier than ever. 
     We didn't talk about it much more. We figured it wasn't God's timing. 
     Perhaps we should have asked Him. We were probably afraid He would say yes! 
     But God put it on our children's hearts. They never forgot and often brought it up. Finally I made a flippant remark that if we could fill a coffee can with $100 by the end of the month (October, 2013), we would pray about whether God wanted us to start the adoption process. It was 10 days away. I thought it would be impossible.
     I should really know better than to play games with God. Because even though it's my heart's desire to adopt, we are raising money for a mission trip, trying to pay off debt and get Mighty Strong Girls into a more "stable" position. 
     Ha! God doesn't care! My children collected $70 by the end of the day without leaving our house, asking anyone for money or using our money. 
     My children used their own money and change from anywhere they could look. It was as if God was putting me in my place. 
     But I still wasn't sure if the timing was right. So I prayed that God would show me in His word if this was His will. We had just read James 1:27 in the reading plan, so I knew it could be a stretch to come across something about orphans again so soon. I prayed one day and the next day the reading plan I follow had me in Ezekiel 22, where verses 6-7, and then 12 in the Message read as follows: 

      “‘Your leaders, the princes of Israel among you, compete in crime. You’re a community that’s insolent to parents, abusive to outsiders, oppressive against orphans and widows. ....
“‘And you’ve forgotten me. Decree of God, the Master.


     Ouch! Orphans and widows — considered the lowly, the outcasts in Bible times — are still neglected today, even and sometimes especially by "the church." Orphans often end up in the streets and turn to prostitution or become victims of labor trafficking. Even here in the United States. It's unthinkable!
     We could blame "the church," where sometimes an outsider's perspective is that all Christianity is good for is being "anti" — anti-abortion, anti same-sex marriages, anti-(fill in the blank). But here's the truth as I see it: WE are the church. Each believer is a member, a part of the body of Christ. And so we all must do our part. 
     It wouldn't be hard. Do you want to know how easy it would be? You've probably heard stories of people lifting and moving structures like barns. Impossible for one person, but when many work together, it CAN happen! 
     Richard Foster, head of World Vision and author of "The Hole in Our Gospel," describes the American church as the wealthiest community of Christians in history. American churchgoers' combined income is $5.2 trillion. 
     "It would take just over 1 percent of the income of American Christians to lift the poorest ONE BILLION people in the world out of extreme poverty," Foster writes in his book. 
     Why is this not happening? Because only five percent of American households tithe to the church and nonprofit ministries, he says. Overall, Christians in America are giving 2.58 percent of their income.
     You might be thinking that if God really cared, He would intervene. He clearly hears the pleas of those in distress. But if what Foster says is true, we have all the tools to combat the orphan problem, among others! We are the solution, and each one of us can be part of that.  
     Each person doing his or her part would literally change the world. And if we worked together, we would not just lift a barn, we would END world hunger, solve all contaminated water issues, provide universal access to drugs, eliminate more than 26,000 children deaths that occur DAILY, guarantee education for all children and provide a safety net so orphans don't get pushed out into the streets. 
     Our family is already supporting one orphan, James, through Lifegate in Africa. But our children don't think that is enough. Aren't children wonderful for helping us see what's clearly truth? 

     "At that time Jesus said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.'" — Matthew 11:25

     I don't know what James 1:27 looks like to you. But for us, God's directive is clear. We are supposed to adopt.