What motivates you? What stirs you up on the inside? What makes you passionate and desirous to do good? Surely its not our own good will! For far to often I’m tempted towards self-preservation and thinking of only what is good for myself. How to obtain what I need, what I want, what I think will bring security. Building up a mini-kingdom to protect myself and bring me satisfaction. I’m shamefully far to often thinking only about if my current actions will benefit me in some way other then the potential of fully and whole-heartedly blessing others.
Throughout this adoption I have seen an out-pouring of generosity like none I’ve ever seen before. Family have rallied around us to generously and sacrificially give so that we might bring two children into our family. They have prayed many times for us and for our children’s well being. My father and mother are spending their own money to travel with us and my dad is closing his orthodontic practice so that he can come to welcome these children into our family, and care for the orphans in Ethiopia. We have had extended family give and life-long friends contribute. We’ve also had our church family whom we’ve been with for just 2 years come alongside us and give of their resources and time to bless us in unimaginable ways. They’ve organized fundraisers, and yard sales, and now a shower to bless our children!!! Just last night our friends gave us a mattress for our daughter’s bed. They easily could have thought, well we’ll need this in another year or two for our child so we can’t give this away. But no, they freely and joyfully gave to meet our need! How overwhelmingly humbling!
When I sit and watch the recent video that came of our children and look around at their home where they are living with 40 other children it was wonderful to see their joy at receiving the care packages we recently sent, but heart-breaking to watch all the other children rush in for a toy as well. A simple My little Pony and Hot wheels motorcycle which easily could be thrown aside by a child here was a coveted and cherished item from a mommy and daddy they have yet to meet. And then the video showed another orphanage where many older children live who do NOT have families waiting for them. These children were so eager and excited to receive a granola bar and homemade doll from traveling families! These are children who do not have a mommy and daddy to tuck them in at night, no one to say I love you and will always be here. This is what wrecks my heart and brings streams of tears to my eyes.
So today I want to say, “THANK YOU” to everyone who has contributed to our adoption. It jolts me from my self-centered world and tangibly reminds me of how Christ gave his life and all so that I could become part of God’s family! When people give it reminds me that I don’t have to store up treasure for myself, because God is ultimately the supplier of all our needs! In my tendency to doubt I shamefully questioned how in the world we were going to come up with the remaining $8,000 we still need. Joshua almost laughed at my unbelief and said, “Bethany! Have we not trusted God for the first $23,000 dollars?!?!? How easily He can provide for the remaining $8,000.” Oh Lord, Help my unbelief! May I always place my trust in my Heavenly Father who knows all of our needs, and so graciously has already provided for my greatest need in the death of His son Jesus Christ! I’m off to make the Kingdom of God my primary concern today! =)
Luke 12:28-32 NLT
And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! And don’t worry about food–what to eat and drink. Don’t worry whether God will provide it for you. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
1 Comment
November 18, 2008 at 9:30 pm
It has been such a privilege to watch you and Joshua walk out this journey with such faith! And isn’t it so kind of God that in those moments when our faith faulters, He brings someone alongside to remind us of how generous and faithful He is to us.