FAITH

Once again we were blessed this weekend by meeting with our adoption support group. We are a number of families joined by adoption. It was a great evening of sharing what's going on in our lives and then we got into discussions regarding how to up the awareness of our responsibility as the church to do something for orphans. God did not say, you should do something, or if you are able to do something or if you feel that it is the right thing to do do something. No, God said that are to do something. Adopt, take kids into your homes, foster kids who have suffered trauma in their homes and have had to be removed, support kids who need a voice.
What does this look like? How do we get the word out? We started talking about putting together a night of awareness. Invite local politicians, partner with regional social workers, include testimonies of families who have been blessed through fostering and adoption.
There is so much need out there. Not only are we looking at what to do for children, but is there a way that the church can come together to support young moms make the hard decision to keep their babies instead of making a devastating lifelong "choice" to abort?
How can we come along families like singles parents who struggle with the consequences of choices they made and now are living with the realities of raising a child alone?
I am by no means saying I have the answer. I am also by no means saying that I am not guilty of slacking seriously in these areas by not being more actively involved in the lives of people I know who are going through similar struggles.
Its a lot to ponder, a lot to get a handle on.
But what if we come together, and we each start looking past the rough things in our lives? Start spending myself for those whose road of life has been dark, painful, and full of sadness. Big words, big plans, but I need to remember that I serve a big God. I need to remember to open my mind, my heart, my soul to what He is asking me to do, be apart of, say, and eventually there will be a vision, a plan, a map. We heard in church today by Brother Bob that God our Father has a plan for us. That He has plans for us in 2010. What does that look like for you? What is He impressing on your heart for this year? It's my prayer that awareness among my circle of influence will increase, starting here.
F-families of
A-adoption
I-inspire
T-teach
H-hope

We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.
Words by Maya Angelou