First world prayers for third world children

“Adoption is a beautiful picture of redemption. It is the Gospel in my living room.”
― Katie J. Davis

 

One of the scariest and most sincere prayers I have prayed in my life happened in early 2007.  It was the last time everything was really almost "perfect" in my life.  Dan and I were so happy.  We were financially secure.  I was working at a job I loved.  Delaney was thriving in an amazing Montessori.  We were finally trying to have another baby.  On top of all this we were in a position to give to others.  I had a yearning in my heart for a missing community of relationships and especially a closer walk with God I had neglected during some very selfish years.  I asked God repeatedly to enlarge my territory. 

 

If you have been reading this blog the past almost three years you know the story well.  In February, 2007 I became pregnant with Danica.  I lost Danica's twin in March.  I lost my job in late April.  Our lives became completely changed by circumstances and especially my health.  Looking back I see God specifically working to answer the above prayer for my heart and life.  I was wanting to become open to something so much bigger.  I really did desire Kingdom work.  I wanted a front row seat to soul business.  I never could have imagined how He was going to rock my world.

 

As I've written about our tiny little life here our "territory" has grown in leaps in bounds.  We have people from all over the United States and the world who have faithfully prayed for us and loved us.  With the expansive world wide web it is easy to get distracted and frenetic in our prayer lives and confused about what God might really be leading us to use our energy and resources for to make a difference.  I think this is one of the reasons I have been stunned over and over again when people have supported us.  The world is a big place, and there is so much need.  I never take for granted when someone is led to love us.  I also have been learning to listen very closely for the Spirit telling our family how to share with others.  Sometimes quick obedience is hard.  There's so many reasons not to move on something God has clearly put on your heart, but the simple truth is your action may be the answer to smeone else's desperate need. 

 

In an effort to keep this blog from going in too many directions I have not written about many of the other stories God is writing that cross ours. 

 

Once in awhile I must. 

 

Today, in your first world life you found your way to these words through facebook or a bookmark or susbscription to Team Danica.  Perhaps someone shared it with you.  You may be pressed on many sides in your own ways.  Life is hard.  You have people you support with kindness and prayer.  You probably give regularly to your church or to charitable organizations that matter most to you.  As a defense mechanism it is sometimes easiest to not reach too far outside our own "territory".  It can get messy and start to pinch in all kinds of uncomfortable ways. 

 

I have a personal connection to adoption because my parents searched out and chose two boys from Romania and made them ours.  If you are a believer you should have a connection too.  You were chosen and brought into the family of God.  Do you ever wonder like I do how we are really supposed to live out Christ's love?  He makes it simple here, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."  James 1:27  I wonder what God thinks for real of us in our big churches with a list of programs to keep ourselves and our children busy learning about Jesus.  I wonder how He feels about our homes and cars and retirement accounts and family vacations and cruises and ten percent going back into ourselves over and over again.  Where is pure religion REALLY happening? 

 

It's happening HERE. 

 

 

Please pray for Jeff and Brenda and their call to bring these girls into their family.  Please bookmark the Amazon shopping link and use it EVERY time you may order something.  Please consider how your own family could make sacrifices to give directly towards their adoption expenses.  Please bookmark their blog and follow their story of redemption. 

 

Oh, and turn up your volume and take a few minutes to watch and listen to this.  Children are waiting.  These four girls are waiting.  God has made a plan to set them in this family.  He will make a way too.  Could you be part of this?  I can't wait to see the Gospel in the Wojton's living room!