I am reading Fierce Convictions, about the life of Hannah More. Hannah More was passionate about education for women and the poor, reform of morals and manners in high society and low, and especially the abolition of Great Britain's slave trade. She actually lived her life doing something about these things.
I read this quote in my devotion this morning by Emily P. Freeman,“Tears are tiny messengers sent from the deepest part of who we are. They whisper – here is where your heart beats strong. This is a hint as to what makes you come alive.”
For me tears flow when I read of orphans or when I think of children in homes where there is no love. Whenever i have held one of our newborn children, the tears come flowing out as I think of the little babies that are hardly ever held. I cry at night when Emmy, at three years old, comes into our bed and reaches down to put her hand on my belly - her comfort now that breastfeeding is over.
What brings tears to your eyes?
Do you feel moved to do something about it?
We sponsor two children - one in Mexico and one in Malawi, and we work hard on being intentional with our family each day - working on being loving, blessing, and encouraging to one another and others. Of course we constantly fail but we have the hope of Jesus.
But really, I know there is so much more we could do and I am praying that my eyes will be opened to something, some path, some way - that may in even a small way bring warmth and love into the life of one baby or child that otherwise may not have had even this most basic human need.
Maybe you should consider adoption through your local foster care....we have adopted 8 children (we had 2 bio as well)...and have been blessed beyond measure by getting to love our kiddos! Great post!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Hannah More, but I didn't know about this bio! I learn the most wonderful things from you!
ReplyDeleteOh Matty, I am sure you have lots to teach me! From goods, to knitting, to literature and English...
DeleteOops, I meant goats
DeleteChildrens sufferings tears me up inside, be it crime, lack of love or other circumstances. All children should be loved and made to feel secure and wanted, it breaks my heart to think that is not so. My grandmother and grandfather were wonderful people. They spent their lives creating security for little ones, in Africa and in Norway. Pam
ReplyDeleteHave you considered your writings here as perhaps your mission? The impact of your writing on a pregnant or new mother may influence how she parents- in a more loving and attached manner. This kind of change grows through the generations as it will impact how her children parent and their children parent- the proverbial pebble in the pond scenario.To raise compassionate loving generations is perhaps the most noble and lasting gift to humanity one could aspire towards!
ReplyDeleteYou are so kind to say this and yes, I do work to keep this in mind - although, I sure have room for improvement. Mike and I are looking forward to having the opportunity to be involved in our grandchildren's lives as well (when they start coming). But at the same time we are keeping ourselves open up to God's leadings in other areas as well, perhaps, adoption.
DeleteI can really relate to this and have personally always been drawn to the idea of adoption. I only wish it wasn't so cost prohibitive. I like your idea of sponsoring children...and I have thought of looking into fostering children when my kids are a bit older.
ReplyDeleteThe costs for adopting are really crazy and it sure doesn't make any sense - but I guess people have to make some money along the way and there is a lot involved. What may make it impossible for us to continue with international adoption is that we don't make enough money. So even though we eat really healthy, have a modest home, and provide pretty well for our children - "they" - the guidelines in various countries and agencies - say that we don't have enough income even though these children are mostly coming from extremely impoverished situations. Sometimes things just don't make a lot of sense. So we have to do what we can.
DeleteI work with a prison re-entry program for women. The thing that makes me cry is women who have done years in prison and then come back out and end up in the same trouble and back in prison. Most lately a 53 year old middle class Mom of 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren who will not give up the drugs. I had this woman in my house overnight when she threatened suicide if I would not help her get the drugs again. I thought we had gotten through it. After six years you would think the addiction broken but it is not and she went back to prison 3 weeks ago. I cry for her daughters who were in high school when she went the first time. I cry for the fact that she has literally given up her grandchildren for the drugs because that daughter has cut her off. I cry for the marriage she threw away and her ex who put her in rehab aver and over and she still would not stay off the drugs. I cry for the gifted elementary school teacher that she was and the fact that she can never teach again. I cry for lives thrown away for drugs and the monkey on the addict's back that they can not shake.
ReplyDeleteBecause of one woman's choice to foster a troubled and abused 16 year old sixty some years ago, her choice has affected my life and so many others. That 16 year old was my mother. Because of this choice. our family was raised in a church and a loving, supportive community. I made the choice after the birth of our biological children to foster children as well. 38 children later, we have now retired, but my heart still cares deeply for the unloved and neglected young ones out there. We are praying to see what God wants for us now in our new community, but I hope it will somehow be with ones who need God's love as well as ours. Love for some of these difficult ones is not a feeling. It is a commitment to not give up on them.
ReplyDeleteI work at an alternative school. Kids who didn't have the best life or didn't make the best decisions. I learned a long time ago all you can do is a little bit every day to help. Maybe you won't see the difference then, but later on the buggers return and you find out what a difference you made.
ReplyDeleteI must read this book! Thanks for the suggestion.
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