Mother's Day thoughts...

I used to avoid FB on Mother's Day...it was a bit of a painful reminder that I wasn't a mom.

Then I really felt convicted that I was being selfish. Besides, I had a fabulous mom and I should celebrate her! She is a fierce child & adoption advocate, she's been adopted by her Heavenly Father and has in turn adopted! 

I watch a lot of moms, always amazed at their strength and love for their child(ren). Yesterday, in the airport we were stuck in a huge line and there was a fussy little one in front of us. She was juggling bags and stroller and bouncing the baby while singing and smoothing her hand across its sweaty teary face. You could see the strain and exhaustion on mom's face. You could tell she was just wishing to be able to feed and comfort that little one.

On the other side of me was a mom having to wake her sleeping baby so they could go through the security checkpoint. Dad took the baby while mom got everything in the belt. Struggling with the stroller then success, then smiling she took the baby.

Another mom was instructing her boys in how to put their things up on the conveyer then again, patiently, when the they weren't doing it right. Then while she had to go one way, and the other(through x-Ray), she never once lost note of where they were, then together again they gathered up their things.

Then later I witnessed the tender reunification of a mother and child who had been separated for a week. She picked him up, held him to her and they basked in the joy of being together again! 

It struck me how strong a mother's love is, how calming/soothing, tenacious, joyful, patient, dedicated, self-sacrificing, and protective! It's a reflection of Gods love for His kids!

And guess what?! His kids are all ADOPTED!

We were reminded this past week at the CAFO conference how adoption is God's heartbeat!

Wow, to be adopted by the Redeemer and Lord of all creation. To be brought into the family of God without reservation despite our bumps, bruises, and baggage. To be wanted and to be chosen! 

In the same token the Redeemed, The Church, has been called to reach out to the Orphans. If we are going to call ourselves Christ followers we have to reach the orphans, they are the heart of God.

The question is not why should the church be involved in adoption, the questions should be how can we not be involved?? We are the redeemed!! We were the orphan, God took us in... James 1:27 we are the recipients of mercy.

It's not an option, we must be involved!

For some that looks like adopting children into our homes, to see them not as a problem, but as an opportunity. For others it is orphan prevention, supporting families in need and teens mom, and so much more.

It's not easy, we are called to that. We are called to be strong, calming/soothing, tenacious, joyful, patient, dedicated, self-sacrificing, and protective

Orphan care is not a suggestion, it is a command.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless and see that they get justice.” – Proverbs 31:8-9

“In you the orphan finds mercy.” – Hosea 14:3

“Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.” – Matthew 18:5

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is." 1 John 3:1-2

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,  is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families..” Psalm 68:5-6a

"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27

"And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ ” Matthew 25:40

Imagine if each one reached one? What if the church did her job? What would it look like to have the Redeemed so in touch with the heart of God? What would it look like to have a world without orphans?! 

Wow, I did know I was going to go there...but that is what the Lord brought to my heart.