Ya’ll….(I can say that now that I live in the south) I really want to be the “fun girl” these days. I want to be the girl with the happy blog that readers flock to for entertainment and lighthearted dialogue! I want to be those things….but I just can’t right now.
I’ve spent the last several weeks doing some soul searching and evaluation of my priorities going into this new year (I know….it’s not as new anymore, just work with me here!) and here are the conclusions I’ve come to.
I can’t focus as much energy on blogging and “social networking” right now…it’s just not what I’m being called to. I don’t intend to shut things down and crawl away into a hole, but I honestly need to put these things on the back burner for a season and focus on the priorities that God is really highlighting for me. I will continue to blog and be active on twitter and facebook etc….but in moderation. I’m choosing to focus on some much more important things right now that need my attention.
1. Relationship with my children – specifically my daughter. I think I’ve been parenting on “auto-pilot” for awhile now and it shows. I love my kids and I know that they know it….but I want to invest more in a deliberate way in their lives this year. My relationship with my daughter, even at her young age, can be pretty rocky at times. Suffice it to say that God gave me a challenge in the shape of my small daughter….and I want to run this particular race much better than I have. If I’m not careful I could lose big on this one…and it’s a risk I’m not willing to take. Family and my children are at the top of my priority list this year.
2. Relationship building. I need more relationship….I need friendship. I’ve been self-protected for a long time now because of some relational hurts and I’ve used being busy or tired or having kids to keep people at arm’s length. I can’t do that anymore….and I’m putting a stop to it. I want to be vulnerable again. I want to reach out and I want to let people close….it’s just time to invest my energy in people. I could use your prayers on this one, cause it feels pretty scary!
3. Compassion and Child sponsorship. God really birthed something in my heart concerning Child Sponsorship and the work that Compassion is doing last year. Social justice isn’t just a good idea – It’s a biblical mandate. I’ve agreed to become an advocate for Compassion, which simply means that I work as a volunteer to promote their ministry and find sponsors for children in desperate need. I want to really give myself to this and see what God has in store….he never ceases to surprise and amaze me!
There are a few more rolling around in my heart that are still in the infant stages and can’t be articulated right now, but you get the picture. My priorities are important and will dictate the decisions that I make this year. I’m not packing up shop….but I am stepping back a bit. If you think of me, pray that I continue to follow God’s heart instead of my own – that’s a pretty tall order!
Thank you Shaun Groves for this video….and for your heart for these kids!
I promise guys…I’ll get back to regular posts about non-compassion related things next week – but right now…nothing could be more important than this. And……since this is part of who I am, part of worship, part of justice, part of my heart…..you’ll probably hear a lot more about it. I hope you’ll stick around!
I’m hoping I don’t lose some of you with all the Compassion Child Sponsorship posts….but I’m committed to getting the word out this week!
This amazing post – A Room Full of Hope by Owlhaven address the issue of hope and what it looks like when these kids actually catch hold of it. Hope may not actually free them from poverty…..but it can change the course of their lives in startling ways. Kids in poverty without hope? They really don’t stand a chance.
The thing is…you and I get the chance through sponsorship and relationship with a child to be that hope – to quite literally work hand in hand with God in changing the course of a child’s life – and effecting their entire family in the process.
You guys….it’s no secret around here that Child sponsorship through Compassion International has stolen my heart. And I’m going to show you a glimpse of exactly how that happened….and why you should open your heart to the possibility.
Melanie – also known in the Blogsphere as “Big Mama” is in the Dominican Republic right now being our eyes and ears to Jesus’ heart for these kids. I just read this post and cried – alot. This is what it’s all about people. If we are not telling these kids there is hope….who is?
Please consider reading these bloggers thoughts and experiences and opening up your heart to sponsoring a child…..it will change you, and it will change the life of a child. I promise.
Nine months ago I had my world rocked by a group of bloggers – people who traveled to Uganda with Compassion International to blog about children, poverty and the hope that Jesus offers. The result? We now have a precious child named Enock from Uganda who as joined our family as a sponsored child through Compassion. We have sent and received letters from Enock and we are growing as a family in our understanding of the mandate that we have as Christians to embrace the needs of those who can’t speak up for themselves.
Last week I completed the last step toward becoming an advocate for Compassion International to assist them in their mission to “release children from poverty in Jesus’ name” My life is moving in a different direction because of a group of people who took a risk….
This week, a different group is traveling to the Dominican Republic to take that same risk. You can read it all here.
My challenge to you is to simply join them on their journey by reading along…and open your heart to the possibility that God may want to change you…to grip your heart.
Hey Internets! Guess what? Compassion Bloggers are going on another trip…..
You can check out the group of bloggers going here and follow them on their journey.
Last time was a wild ride for me and many others as we followed them in Uganda. I’m praying that many more hearts and eyes are open this trip to the needs of Children all over the world that can be released from poverty with our help.
I ran across this fantastic article entitled “Knocked Up..Knocked Down” here – and it shook me more than a little. I know that nobody likes to think about the harsh realities that face people on the streets, people who are unseen and make us uncomfortable….but it’s hard not to rethink everything you thought you knew about justice when you read something like this.
So I’m left asking….what does justice look like? What should our response look like? Why does Jesus highlight the poor so often….why don’t we hear more….do more….love more?
If you made it this far after reading the article linked above….read this FANTASTIC blog post by Shaun Groves on this subject here…..it will flip your world on end just a little bit.
My life is slowing down…..and my Internet connection is FINALLY fully functional.
I’M BACK…..
Two things consuming my thoughts tonight.
1. I finally “get” Twitter…..and I’m Twitterpated. Check me out on Twitter. My name is…..get this…..Worshipfan! I know right? It’s so unexpected. And, I need people to follow me or I am Tweeting for nothing. Follow me at http://twitter.com/worshipfan
2. Just got done writing a letter online to the child we sponsor through Compassion International and I started looking around on the site at the kids waiting to be sponsored…..and seriously? I think I fell in love with this sweetheart - If you click on the link and she isn’t there anymore, GREAT….it means somebody has sponsored her already. I can hardly stand it she is so precious. As soon as the husband starts making a bit more $ we are going to sponsor another one….this time a little girl my daughter’s age. There are so many kids out there……I hate being broke!
What’s up with Ya’ll? I’ve been saving lots of funny stuff for you guys…..more to come!
You guys…..My heart is full and I’m overjoyed. Meet Enock
This is the child that we have chosen together, as a family to sponsor. My 8 year old son was very firm in his choice…he wanted Enock from the moment he saw his picture. We are eager to get information on how to write to him and become a part of his life. We are so excited that God has Chosen US to be the ones who make a difference in his life! I watched my son get tears in his eyes as he realized the magnitude of the difference our little bit of money could make in Enock’s life….he is starting to get it.
When Brian starts working again we plan to sponsor a little girl Abbie’s age……our family is growing!
Would you consider going hereand choosing a child to take into your family….your heart? The need is so huge and we can do so much with so little!
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