A Mother's Love
There are few things that can compare with the beauty of a mother's love. In it's unspoken affections, it cradles civilizations. It births nations and plants the seeds of future generations. It inspires dreams and encourages paths never imagined. It perseveres through the roughest of times, being the strength that is needed to walk many a rocky road or scale the heights of daunting mountains. A mother's love is sacrificial, giving over completely to oneself for the good of another life. It can be the force that drives us when we feel incapable of walking another step, and it can be the gentle whisper that says, "I love you, I believe in you, and there is nothing that you cannot achieve." Love can give wings for one to soar. And yet, I also know that a mother's love can be squelched. It can be dulled by disillusion, by hardship, and by fear. It can be hidden through the depths of internal pain, physical, emotional and spiritual. It can make some feel that they are not enough, even though they are. It can paralyze and be a painful reminder of how one was not loved. And so, within the beauty of motherhood, there is a world that embraces its beauty and a parallel world that hides from its potential. It is this contrast that I reflect on as I remember the mother's of Korah.
On this Mother's Day, I can't help but think of the many mothers that I saw. Yesterday, I sat in the gleaming hot sunshine, enjoying the sound of birds in my yard. My kids were playing around, having fun. My husband was working on some garden projects. Here was a brightness and a joy that the mother's of Korah would not experience. My heart felt that pain and that injustice. Then, my husband asked me what I would like to eat for Mother's Day...a choice to have something that I enjoyed. And what of the mother's that live in Korah? There are no choices, and there are certainly not many husbands around, if any, that would even care to ask even if they had the means. I remember the homes of these women...dark, dingy, holes in the ground. They were not in the ground, but they may have well been. From pure daylight you could walk into their homes into complete darkness. Pitch black! You could barely make out the image of the person in front of you. The homes were made from eucalyptus or bamboo frames and sheathed in newspapers, plastic bags, tarps, ripped clothes...whatever would hold together. Most lived in complete darkness with their children, and yet they still needed to pay $13USD per month for their "home". They had nothing but a dirty heap of blankets on the floor for a bed, where the entire family would sleep, and maybe the luxury of a pot or a coal burner for heat. Tarps draped down as roofs with little protection from the heavy rains. Buckets sat on the dirt floor collecting drips. The home would be damp, musty and cold at night. Cats sat in the rafters for protection. Protection from what? From rats that would eat at fingers and toes at night. As I was walking out of one of the homes (where 22 people lived), a poster caught my eye. It was a laminated sketch of a caucasian woman embracing her child. The print was entitled, "A Mother's Love". No matter where we live, whether it be in precious comforts of North America, or the dark confines of an outcast village.....there is always a mother's love.
These women live in darkness, squalor, depravity, destitution, every single day. They live with no husbands since most have left. They live with many children...and even though the rest of the world will frown upon their fertility in the midst of destitution, the reality is that they are abused, taken advantage of and have no ability to say, "NO!". Drunken men walk the village paths at night, having their drink and their way. There is no access to birth control, no access to healthy food, or water for that matter...and those that do might have to walk and hour and a half, miles and miles. Some send their small children to carry the 50 pound containers. Others walk themselves, with children saddled on their backs. Some hobble along the trek with nothing more than stumps for feet to get there. Money for health care, food, clothes....these are dreams not realized. What do they do for income? Prostituting their bodies....or those of their young children. How much that must grieve a mother's heart! I can't imagine. Others have escaped near death since their husbands tried to kill them because of their disfigurements (leprosy)..and so they live with the reality of rejection and abandonment every single day...outcast by their families. They live with their many children, huddled in tight spaces, covered with dirty blankets. Babies stop breast feeding when they get sick. Then, they stop breastfeeding all together due to a lack of energy. One woman fed her baby a grey, slimy goo out of a dirty plastic container. That's all she had to offer. Her baby is dying. How she must cry at night. Mothers walk to the garbage dump in the search for food with one or more babies swaddled to their bodies. They care for sick and dying children, most of which die of malnutrition before they reach the age of 5. And so, these could be the mothers whose love is dulled by disillusion, hardship, abandonment, and utter desperation. And yet, these were the mothers that I saw passionately clutching their children, caressing their babies, smiling at their toddlers and breaking out into a proud, wide smiles whenever we would stop to look at their children or take their picture. These were the mothers that "just kept going no matter what the day had to offer". These were the mothers that asked us to pray for their sick children, who clutched on to hope for dear life. These were the mothers that broke out into a wail when they found out that they were too sick, perhaps even dying...to sick to care for their children. Can you imagine realizing that your own children will be orphans? These were the mothers that took our hands and kissed them and cried when they received clothes, or medicine or food. And when one of our team members found 2 granola bars in her purse to give to one of these mothers, she did as any mother would do,she gave it to her children. A mother's love...a universal beauty, and in my mind even more beautiful in the women of Korah, that outcast community where even the darkest poverty and the most profound destitution does nothing to hide the passion and the deep love of a mother.
Please pray for the mothers at Korah. I believe that the love and prayers that we were able to give them was a glimpse of the immense love that God has for them. I believe that seeds of hope were planted those days and that our continued prayers will make a huge difference to the mothers of Korah. Please pray for them today.
Lord, we pray for the mothers of Korah. You know their struggles and what lies within their hearts. You see their tears and you hear their cries. Please protect them from the many dangers that meet them in their days, and in their nights. Protect their children from harm and disease and guard their hearts and souls as they witness circumstances that no children should see. Lord, provide them with food and water to sustain their frail bodies. Be their strength and their hope. Help them to walk their long roads until the day that we can all join together to help to release them from their hardships....one day at a time, one need at a time. Lord, the need is tremendous. Help us not to focus on the immensity of the hardship, but on the intensity of your love. Help us to remember the depth and breadth and width of your love for the people of Korah. You cared for them enough that you have brought your light there. You have brought men and women, one a time, to minister your love, your provision, your compassion and your continued hope. Lord, may your covering be over them and your hand of healing be upon them. May you raise up leaders within your kingdom that will be bold, brave and attentive to your leading. Lord, may your seeds of faith, hope and love bloom in this dark place. May your servants and Your word be the light in the darkness. Lord, I lift the mothers of Korah to your loving care. You created them, you know them by name. They are precious in your sight and you love them deeply. May they feel your warmth in the darkness and cold of their nights. May they feel your love in every waking moment. May they remember our visit there. May they remember our smiles, our embraces, kisses on the cheeks, and our prayers. May they know that everything that was given to them, their clothes, medicine, trips to the hospital, food, toys...it was all given in Your love. And finally Lord, please continue to show us how you want us to care for these precious people. Help us to be attentive to your spirit. Help us to continue running the race for your beloved people. With your strength and your leading we can accomplish much. Help us to think BIG and not to settle into resignation or complacency. We were meant to work together for hope.
Lord, thank you for your gift of a mother's love and thank you for each mother at Korah
How do we start making a difference?
Every single life matters. There is no "us" and "them" and we shouldn't live as though there is.
Every person is entitled to have nutritious food, medical care, shelter and clean water.
Every person deserves to have freedom,opportunity,dignity and hope.
Everyone needs to be loved. We all have the ability to influence our world and to make a difference.
It begins with a heart-felt desire to do something. That's followed by a commitment to finding ways to gaining awareness, becoming more educated, and using our resources, both within ourselves and amongst each other.
It begins with a heart-felt desire to do something. That's followed by a commitment to finding ways to gaining awareness, becoming more educated, and using our resources, both within ourselves and amongst each other.
The hardest part might be taking that step....or a plunge, and getting out of our comfort zone. It might feel as though it's just a tiny step, not worth much.
But every effort is like small pebble thrown in the water, creating a spreading ripple that moves, grows and changes into something magnificent and beyond borders.
A COLLECTION OF STORIES OF MY TRIPS TO ETHIOPIA AND IN THE JOURNEY THAT CONTINUES IN MY HEART...
May 9, 2010
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Sululta 2010 - What's it all about?
It's about working together for HOPE. A team of medical professionals as well others with a passion for Ethiopia and the betterment of its people will travel in April 2010 to the rural community of Sululta, Ethiopia. This village is located about 25 km from the capital city of Addis Ababa.
The aim of this trip will be to provide not only medical assistance to the rural community, but also additional medical supplies and training for the staff at the clinic. As well, building community awareness of health issues, creating a nutritional program, implementing health promotion and prevention, and collecting data for future implementation are key aspects of the trip.
The team will seek to establish a stronger partnership between a teaching university and the clinic while looking for sustainable ways to assist the Sululta clinic in its long term functioning. I am privileged to be part of this team and look forward to being with the beautiful people of Ethiopia once again. I am excited for what God has planned in the days that we work together as a team to share our hearts, our talents and our passion for making a difference.
The aim of this trip will be to provide not only medical assistance to the rural community, but also additional medical supplies and training for the staff at the clinic. As well, building community awareness of health issues, creating a nutritional program, implementing health promotion and prevention, and collecting data for future implementation are key aspects of the trip.
The team will seek to establish a stronger partnership between a teaching university and the clinic while looking for sustainable ways to assist the Sululta clinic in its long term functioning. I am privileged to be part of this team and look forward to being with the beautiful people of Ethiopia once again. I am excited for what God has planned in the days that we work together as a team to share our hearts, our talents and our passion for making a difference.
Sululta 2010 - Working Together for HOPE
How to "upgrade" your Christmas....watch this and read below
August 26, 2009
So, how did I get to Ethiopia? I have often thought of my desire to make more of a difference. But how? While I am already involved in the adoption of children, I felt that adding an "out of my comfortable world" experience was what I needed to take me to the next step in my journey. One day, I decided to share that with God in the quietness of my heart. At the time, I remember feeling that the desire to reach out across the globe to Ethiopia seemed very far out of reach. Too far for Whose reach? Literally a day later, I received an invitation from our partnering adoption agency to participate in a trip that involved adoption as well as a medical clinic. I was utterly shocked and thrilled all at the same time that an opportunity was right before me. Not only had God attentively heard the desires of my heart, He had opened a door as well. I knew at that moment that there was purpose ahead. My desires mattered and they would be put into action.
On March 26 of this year, I travelled on 22 hours worth of airplane rides (one way). It gave a whole new meaning to my kids saying, "Are we there yet?" I was privileged to visit rural villages, orphanages, adoption homes, the government adoption offices, and offer my help as a pediatrician's assistant at the medical clinic in Salulta, a town of 30,000. What I experienced left me a different person. There were times when I questioned whether I had anything to offer. "Who am I to help these poor people...the need is so great. I'm just an ordinary person" Funny thing is...the doctors and nurses felt the same way...do we have what it takes? Well, its not about our professions or skill sets, although they contribute greatly to the need. It is more about our heart to make a change and our willingness to get past that fear of being inadequate. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, " You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop and look fear in the face. You must do the very thing which you think you cannot do."
So, I took my fear of inadequacy, looked it in the face, and replaced it with my desire to reach out and love people - one person at a time. We would see over 1,000 that week. While sitting on my wooden bench in that concrete room, I might only share a smile, hand out a toothbrush or some vitamins, hand out stickers, or perhaps ease the anxiety of a mother holding her sick child. I could do that...just love people.
You'll see in the days to come, as I share my stories, that deciding to love was all that was ever needed and the outcome was unbelievable - far beyond what I ever imagined.
On March 26 of this year, I travelled on 22 hours worth of airplane rides (one way). It gave a whole new meaning to my kids saying, "Are we there yet?" I was privileged to visit rural villages, orphanages, adoption homes, the government adoption offices, and offer my help as a pediatrician's assistant at the medical clinic in Salulta, a town of 30,000. What I experienced left me a different person. There were times when I questioned whether I had anything to offer. "Who am I to help these poor people...the need is so great. I'm just an ordinary person" Funny thing is...the doctors and nurses felt the same way...do we have what it takes? Well, its not about our professions or skill sets, although they contribute greatly to the need. It is more about our heart to make a change and our willingness to get past that fear of being inadequate. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, " You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop and look fear in the face. You must do the very thing which you think you cannot do."
So, I took my fear of inadequacy, looked it in the face, and replaced it with my desire to reach out and love people - one person at a time. We would see over 1,000 that week. While sitting on my wooden bench in that concrete room, I might only share a smile, hand out a toothbrush or some vitamins, hand out stickers, or perhaps ease the anxiety of a mother holding her sick child. I could do that...just love people.
You'll see in the days to come, as I share my stories, that deciding to love was all that was ever needed and the outcome was unbelievable - far beyond what I ever imagined.
"You must do the thing which you think you cannot do."
August 24, 2009
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about the people that I met in Ethiopia. Every single one touched me in a very unique way. Some hold stories in my heart of incredible heartache and destitution, while others have brought me great joy and a profound understanding of how connected we all are in this world. Regardless of where we live - we are the same people. We have hopes and dreams...we laugh and cry...we gain some days and suffer losses others. Color is only skin deep. Language doesn't have to separate us. We can learn it or get a translator. So, what does separate us? Our views, attitudes or preconceptions perhaps? That is a question worth asking ourselves. We become what we think.
In addition to offering medical help at the Salulta clinic, we also had 2 opticians who conducted eye exams and gave people eye glasses. It was surprising to see how many were in need of eye care. Countless numbers lined up with eye infections and cataracts. One woman had walked 450 km, from the border of Kenya for eye drops. I don't think that I'll ever complain about driving across town to my doctor for a wait of an hour in his waiting room.
As I worked with the pediatrician in my little area, a commotion started up to the side. A woman stood there, waving her arms around, speaking out to familiar faces in the crowd. What she had in her hands was a pair of glasses. I looked over at her and immediately caught her glance. With great triumph and glee, she yelled out at me, " I am beautiful" "Yes", I agreed, giving her a thumbs up and replying, "Kongo". This means beautiful in Amharic. She burst out in a full-bellied laughter. It was quite contagious. She could not contain her joy and I could barely contain my tears. That beautiful moment I will never forget. It made me think that every single girl and woman deeply desires to feel beautiful, no matter where they live or what their circumstances. Why shouldn't they have the opportunity to feel that way? The beauty that I encountered in Ethiopia transcended outward appearances or the flowery eye glasses held in this lady's hand. This was the beauty of the heart and soul and it captivated not only my heart, but closely connected me with the many people there. What a gift.
In addition to offering medical help at the Salulta clinic, we also had 2 opticians who conducted eye exams and gave people eye glasses. It was surprising to see how many were in need of eye care. Countless numbers lined up with eye infections and cataracts. One woman had walked 450 km, from the border of Kenya for eye drops. I don't think that I'll ever complain about driving across town to my doctor for a wait of an hour in his waiting room.
As I worked with the pediatrician in my little area, a commotion started up to the side. A woman stood there, waving her arms around, speaking out to familiar faces in the crowd. What she had in her hands was a pair of glasses. I looked over at her and immediately caught her glance. With great triumph and glee, she yelled out at me, " I am beautiful" "Yes", I agreed, giving her a thumbs up and replying, "Kongo". This means beautiful in Amharic. She burst out in a full-bellied laughter. It was quite contagious. She could not contain her joy and I could barely contain my tears. That beautiful moment I will never forget. It made me think that every single girl and woman deeply desires to feel beautiful, no matter where they live or what their circumstances. Why shouldn't they have the opportunity to feel that way? The beauty that I encountered in Ethiopia transcended outward appearances or the flowery eye glasses held in this lady's hand. This was the beauty of the heart and soul and it captivated not only my heart, but closely connected me with the many people there. What a gift.
August 19, 2009
So what do I do when I'm not at home with my family?
I have the joy and privilege of working as an intercountry worker at Hope Pregnancy and Adoption Services in Abbotsford. I love that name, "Hope", fitting for where my heart desires to dwell. I have the honor of walking alongside people as they journey through international adoption. I handle the Ethiopia and Haiti program as well as all new international inquiries. I am blessed to work with a magnificent group of caring and loving individuals. What a great team we are! Together, we help those in need of love and support during difficult times, while also sharing in the dream of building families with adoptive parents. We also desire and to provide hope and opportunity of a better life to the many children, both here and around the world without families. Every single child deserves to be loved and well-cared for. I'd have to say that I consider my job one of the most awesome opportunities ever given to me. In fact, I don't consider it a job at all - I consider it a joy and a blessing in my life. It also gives me a chance to put my talents, abilities and desires into effective action. My heart is to support, encourage, and inspire others and I am given that window of opportunity to care for others every day. Adoption is a journey of the heart, filled with many up and down moments and I'm so glad that I can be there if someone needs a hand or a shoulder to lean on. Then of course, there are the really sweet moments. One such moment is when I get share in the joy of presenting a child proposal to a family. I get so excited that I don't sleep either that night..just immersed in the beauty and blessing of it all. I love getting excited with a family over travel plans to pick up their long-awaited child. In those moments I think, " God, you are so, so good!"
I have the joy and privilege of working as an intercountry worker at Hope Pregnancy and Adoption Services in Abbotsford. I love that name, "Hope", fitting for where my heart desires to dwell. I have the honor of walking alongside people as they journey through international adoption. I handle the Ethiopia and Haiti program as well as all new international inquiries. I am blessed to work with a magnificent group of caring and loving individuals. What a great team we are! Together, we help those in need of love and support during difficult times, while also sharing in the dream of building families with adoptive parents. We also desire and to provide hope and opportunity of a better life to the many children, both here and around the world without families. Every single child deserves to be loved and well-cared for. I'd have to say that I consider my job one of the most awesome opportunities ever given to me. In fact, I don't consider it a job at all - I consider it a joy and a blessing in my life. It also gives me a chance to put my talents, abilities and desires into effective action. My heart is to support, encourage, and inspire others and I am given that window of opportunity to care for others every day. Adoption is a journey of the heart, filled with many up and down moments and I'm so glad that I can be there if someone needs a hand or a shoulder to lean on. Then of course, there are the really sweet moments. One such moment is when I get share in the joy of presenting a child proposal to a family. I get so excited that I don't sleep either that night..just immersed in the beauty and blessing of it all. I love getting excited with a family over travel plans to pick up their long-awaited child. In those moments I think, " God, you are so, so good!"
A treasured moment at an Ethiopian Orphanage
August 18, 2009 - A Step...
Every journey begins with one step. This blog is an expressive step to sharing my heart with you. I really believe that our hearts are meant to be shared.....deeply. That's what relationships are about - and living in relationship is what we're all meant to do. We weren't meant to be "me" oriented, but rather "we" oriented. Opening up our hearts and sharing our hopes, dreams and trials can be really difficult. But, the benefit far outweighs the risk. At times, we have to step out of our comfort zone and move into unchartered territory. Stepping out, we can accomplish great things. We can inspire, teach, motivate, encourage, hold up and build up. It starts in the heart. That's where God does His best work. We may feel nudged to do something or reach out to someone - that's a step. Kind of like starting this blog. Both our words and our actions have the power to reach out to people and to influence their lives for the better. In fact, we have the power to change the world. I know that's become very cliche...and that's sad, because it's entirely true.
So why don't more people step out to influence the world? Why have so many people become complacent? Well, its scary to put yourself out there. What will others think? What will we think of ourselves? Do we have what it takes to make a difference? Absolutely! Is even a small effort one worth making? Absolutely! What if we fail or get ridiculed? Expect it, but don't let it take you down. No one can get up without falling first. I believe that its better to fail while daring greatly than to not try at all. Are failures really failures? Sometimes, steps that look like failures to us are just ways of showing us where we need to make adjustments...where to begin again, with renewed vision. Remember the old saying, " if you fail, try and try again." So, where do we start? There are just SO many needs and potential areas of improvement in this world. Ask God to show you. Be attentive to what He shows and then move on it. Do a little something in that direction. Give yourself credit for your talents, abilities and interests. Acknowledging your gifts and talents is not self-centred, it puts value on who you are and what you were meant to do. Follow your passions...everyone has them. If you don't feel that you have one...then start looking deep inside. You'll find it. Don't underestimate what God can do through you. Write your thoughts down. You'll see things begin to unfold.
I've got a myriad of journals and little pieces of paper in my purse that all have thoughts that have gone through my mind and heart at one time or another. When did the thoughts come? Well, sometimes in the shower...a great place to be "washed over" with brilliant ideas. Sitting in the van going somewhere...reading bulletin boards, watching people, talking to my boys, listening to a friend, a song, reading a book...lots of places.
So, I've got a little notebook in my purse now that I can pull out and write down those thoughts. They allow me to re-visit my thinking. Then, the next question might be, "Where exactly do these thoughts come from?" Well, I know that they're God given, infused with His plan for my life and colored by my experiences and desires of my heart. I'm not one of those people that think that things just happen. Things happen for a reason. I don't even like to call them "things". They are more like assigned moments, allowable circumstances, or unforeseeable blessings. They can be entire seasons of our life or just a defined moment. Most times, we don't see the relevance of these moments or events in our life. We may never see that. But often times, we do, and as we look back, we clearly see the hidden purposes of these "things" that happen in our life. I believe that God is the master architect of our lives. He's drawn up our plans very carefully, with a precision plan and long term benefits. Every person has a plan for their life; a purpose. Everything about us fits into that purpose if we'll let it.
The real exercise is to be fully attentive to where God is leading our steps. Yes, it's a journey, not a destination. But, all it requires is a first step....sometimes a baby step, but it's a start!
So why don't more people step out to influence the world? Why have so many people become complacent? Well, its scary to put yourself out there. What will others think? What will we think of ourselves? Do we have what it takes to make a difference? Absolutely! Is even a small effort one worth making? Absolutely! What if we fail or get ridiculed? Expect it, but don't let it take you down. No one can get up without falling first. I believe that its better to fail while daring greatly than to not try at all. Are failures really failures? Sometimes, steps that look like failures to us are just ways of showing us where we need to make adjustments...where to begin again, with renewed vision. Remember the old saying, " if you fail, try and try again." So, where do we start? There are just SO many needs and potential areas of improvement in this world. Ask God to show you. Be attentive to what He shows and then move on it. Do a little something in that direction. Give yourself credit for your talents, abilities and interests. Acknowledging your gifts and talents is not self-centred, it puts value on who you are and what you were meant to do. Follow your passions...everyone has them. If you don't feel that you have one...then start looking deep inside. You'll find it. Don't underestimate what God can do through you. Write your thoughts down. You'll see things begin to unfold.
I've got a myriad of journals and little pieces of paper in my purse that all have thoughts that have gone through my mind and heart at one time or another. When did the thoughts come? Well, sometimes in the shower...a great place to be "washed over" with brilliant ideas. Sitting in the van going somewhere...reading bulletin boards, watching people, talking to my boys, listening to a friend, a song, reading a book...lots of places.
So, I've got a little notebook in my purse now that I can pull out and write down those thoughts. They allow me to re-visit my thinking. Then, the next question might be, "Where exactly do these thoughts come from?" Well, I know that they're God given, infused with His plan for my life and colored by my experiences and desires of my heart. I'm not one of those people that think that things just happen. Things happen for a reason. I don't even like to call them "things". They are more like assigned moments, allowable circumstances, or unforeseeable blessings. They can be entire seasons of our life or just a defined moment. Most times, we don't see the relevance of these moments or events in our life. We may never see that. But often times, we do, and as we look back, we clearly see the hidden purposes of these "things" that happen in our life. I believe that God is the master architect of our lives. He's drawn up our plans very carefully, with a precision plan and long term benefits. Every person has a plan for their life; a purpose. Everything about us fits into that purpose if we'll let it.
The real exercise is to be fully attentive to where God is leading our steps. Yes, it's a journey, not a destination. But, all it requires is a first step....sometimes a baby step, but it's a start!
Join in the journey...
I hope that you will enjoy reading the stories that I have shared. I also hope that you will take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the experiences which changed my life. Not only do I value the gift of life and relationships more deeply, but also the reality that I am able to have an active part in making the life of others better. Knowledge and good intentions do not take the place of purposeful actions. Without choosing to act - the world remains unchanged. I believe that we can all " Be the change we want to see in the world".
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that he was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
"Good Morning" he called out. May I ask what you are doing? the young man paused, looked up, and replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean...the sun is up and the tide is going. If I don't throw them in, they'll die." Upon hearing this the wise man commented, "But young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference." At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it in the ocean. As it met the water, he said, " It matters to that one." (Adapted from The Starfish Thrower, by Lauren Eiseley)
Every person matters...every one can make a difference. I hope that you will be inspired to be that person.
"Good Morning" he called out. May I ask what you are doing? the young man paused, looked up, and replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean...the sun is up and the tide is going. If I don't throw them in, they'll die." Upon hearing this the wise man commented, "But young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference." At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it in the ocean. As it met the water, he said, " It matters to that one." (Adapted from The Starfish Thrower, by Lauren Eiseley)
Every person matters...every one can make a difference. I hope that you will be inspired to be that person.
Thank - you again for posting Angie - you inspire me - thank-you for helping me process - your prayer today has become my prayer - you have a gift - thanks for sharing it with all of us...love you lots and miss you - your sister Gioia
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post - my heart as a mother wants to sit and wail along with the mothers of Korah. I have not been there but have heard the stories and my heart aches for them all.
ReplyDeleteA friend of Gioia.
Hi Angie:
ReplyDeleteSo nice talking to you today...like I said, what is there to say about your post other than AMEN!!! You are an incredible writer and I know some day you will be writing "that book":-) It is so true that every child deserves and mom and of course a dad...but being Mother's Day...it fits perfectly.
You did say something that really struck a chord with me...God totally orchestrated our family and it is wrong for me to try and plan the children we have...so I have decided to change the way I pray. Decided to "finally"(boy, I'm a slow learner LOL) allow God to choose the age and sex of our child(ren). I look at our children and know that each one was hand-picked by God...not-hand picked by me. We only wanted a son so Daniel could have a brother and God blessed us the most incredible daughter as well...so who am I think I can decide? God knows exactly who is chosen for us.
Thanks for pointing that out to me even though I'm sure you were not aware you were doing that. The Holy Spirit moves so brilliantly doesn't He? Our chance meeting today, also orchestrated by God.
So if I could ask, please pray for us that God would use you(possibly-no pressure LOL)and show us where to turn...whose heart we are to bring home to there forever family.
You are an incredible Mom, wife and advocate for the "least of these"...I Hope your Mother's Day was wonderful!
Luv,
Connie
Sorry, I forgot to ask who these children are in your photo?
ReplyDeleteConnie
I dropped in on Schatzi's blog, and she mentioned yours. I dropped in to read, and oh my, but my heart is so touched!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing yours with us all!
simpleoldgurl@Furbelow Cottage
Hi Angie:
ReplyDeleteI posted your blog on mine...the word is now out with homesteadblogger.
Luv,
Connie/schatzi