"So promise me you'll never forget...that you aren't an accident or an incident...you are a gift to the world, a divine work of art, signed by God. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth...Flooded by emotion, overcome by pride, the Starmaker turns to us, one by one, and says, 'You are my child. I love you dearly.'" Max Lucado, God Thinks You're Wonderful







Wednesday, August 12, 2009

The Wonder of a Child

Today I was listening to my ipod cleaning the dishes while the kids were sleeping and heard this Mark Schultz song again. Here are some of the words:



"Oh child...Precious one,

Let your life shine like the Son.

Live with the wonder of a child.

Pray with your arms thrown open wide.

Love with the love that has no end.

Until I see you again!"




I love this song.




I love what it makes me think about.




I don't often live with the wonder of a child. I should. I have great examples around me all day long.


I rarely throw my arms open and plead with my Father. Don't get me wrong, I pray but its more of a conversation.


I pray that I love unconditionally and without end, but I know I don't get close.



As I read the words over and over again, I can't help but think of something that I've heard God reminding me over the last several weeks.



"It's not about me."



Ever since I shared about starting an adoption ministry I have talked to so many people about it and it's really been encouraging. But as soon as I start talking about the foster care part most people start getting uncomfortable.



I can't tell you how many people have said, "But I just couldn't do that. I couldn't fall in love with a child knowing that I could lose them." Then God says, "Well, this isn't about you!"



So when I hear that song say, love with a love that has no end that means to me, love when you know you might experience pain. Don't just love when it's easy to love.



When I hear the song say, live with the wonder of a child, I think about how our children would consider foster care. This is what Owen said to me last week,



"Mom, you know there are kids without families? They could come here and they would love our family. They'd be like, 'This is a great family' "



No lie. Out of the mouths of babes, huh? He knew about the children we spoke of a couple of months ago. I told him the things we were collecting were for some children that didn't have a mommy and daddy. Boy do kids remember things like that!



What if we lived with the wonder of a child? What if we loved without condition? Perhaps a child would feel the love of Christ that they might have never felt otherwise. I think that'd be worth the possibility of me losing a child, don't you?

Our group met again tonight to discuss more about what an adoption ministry would look like at our church. All I can say is that it was incredible and humbling to be a part of. There were 10 there from 4 churches and now we have 23 people that are wanting to be involved. And this is before we have even discussed this with our church! Can't wait to see what all God is doing here and it's super exciting! Please pray for me tomorrow as I discuss our dreams with one of our pastors.

6 comments:

mom2many said...

If we sit back and think about it, we have no guarantees that we won't lose what we like to call "our OWN children". When we adopt, we have no guarantee that the birth family WON'T change their minds. When we foster, as you said, it is about the children...not about us. And yes, it is HARD. But I try to remember that God gave HIS ONLY SON for me...the least I can do is hurt a little for His littlest children while loving and healing them.

Tom and Ashley said...

Thanks for the reminder Molly, that its not about me...I needed that, because we are getting ready to start the foster care process, and I told Tom I don't think I would want to foster babies that aren't going to be available for adoption, because it would be hard...but then later changed my mind, and I really appreciate your reminder...its not about me, and besides, I just want to have babies in this house after all, and if I can show God's love to a child even for a moment, its worth it...thanks again! :)

Just Believing said...

You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing such wonderful thoughts!

Aubrey said...

I'm super excited about the success of your adoption ministry thus far! That will be such an incredible blessing to many!! I love that Owen already gets the concept of selflessness and truly loving others! Your children truly are precious!!

Cindy said...

I love that thought. This isn't about us, is it? God's heart is not about our comfort, its about loving even when its inconvenient.
I went home from our meeting this week and couldn't sleep. I stayed up for several more hours just brainstorming and googling. I couldn't turn my brain off. I feel so blessed to be a part of the group.

Kristy said...

Can you email me or call me Molly? kpayne191@cox.net 312-9889