I remember seeing pictures like this.
And like this.
And especially like this one.
And since we can't save them all why bother? It is so hard and heartbreaking and what can one person do?
I've shared this story before but I'll share it again. It is kind of cruel but I wasn't part of it and it really reveals a truth. A class of grade school students put a puppy in a cage. They gave it food and water, cleaned up after it -- took care of all its physical needs. But, they didn't give it any love or affection -- they weren't mean to it. They just didn't acknowledge it.
After the puppy, though healthy physically, died. It died from lack of attention. The need for love and acknowledgement and affection is as necessary to us as food and water. The effects might not be as immediately felt or seen, but it is as necessary very much so.
We've adopted three children: one from Bulgaria, one from Russia and one stateside (who was originally from Guatemala). We never had the money to do it. And there are families who have done so much more than us.
But money won't stop this work if you want to do it.
I applaud the celebrities who have adopted children, but sometimes I think it stops typical people from adopting because they think it is a work for only the wealthy. And it isn't....not at all.
And it isn't at all glamorous. It is hard work, painful and heartbreaking. If you adopt overseas you go to the orphanage and see all the kids who need homes and you are only taking one or two home and you weep. What about the others?
It is good to have a broken heart for these children. God has a broken heart for them. If we have a broken heart for these kids maybe we will pray....
Will you at least pray for them? Please?
I know not all people can adopt. I wish I could adopt five more but I just don't have the emotional resources for it. It is all comsuming to help a child become a real part of your family.
But I know each of us can do something. Even donating just a bit can help, even bring someone great encouragement.
Last night my husband and I went out to eat at the local gas station -- it has a bar and grill in back. It was a nice meal. Cheap prices. The waitress was so nice. I thought I'd give her a nice tip. After I came home and thought about it I realized I miscalculated and had given her a very HUGE tip - -almost as much as our dinner cost. It was a ridiculous-sized tip, but then I thought -- maybe it will bless her so much she'll see someone else....maybe it will be one of those Pay It Forward moments (if you haven't seen that movie you just have to -- but watch it without the kids first).
When I think about the grace and love God has surrounded just me with, how can I not give some of this to a child somewhere else?
A child needs security, love and a chance to grow.....we can give these three things to every child we meet -- and every child we don't meet if we offer what we have.
How in the world did Jesus feed thousands with one boy's lunch?
They used what they were offered. They used what they had.
We do the same thing.
I read somewhere lately something like this: what you offer you might not think is that great, but to someone else it might be miraculous (the original quote was said a bit better I think).
If you have kids, it is great to get them involved in helping other kids. The Samaritan's Purse Christmas Shoe Box Drive is beginning. That is a fun one for everyone.
World Vision offers has a very good sponsor a child program you can become part of. You can even pick the child and what country he or she is from. Often, when a child is sponsored the whole family benefits.
Or if you want to directly help someone bring home a child go to The Shepherd's Crook Ministries. You can donate to any child's adoption journey.
One more I want to share with you: Reece's Rainbow. This is a great, great ministry. Please visit this site. Check out how you can help. Sometimes just making other people aware of it will bring the right person to the right ministry.
Thank you for being part of God's work.
Prayer is powerful.
I know most of the time we can't feel that power or even see it, but it does mighty things in the unseen realm.
"There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as praying for him." --William Law