It's Up To Us......

Last night, Ashton said to me, "Mommy, I hope you never die. You know why? 'Cause I always need to have a mommy. And you're the best mommy I could ever have."

 My heart immediately melted into a little puddle on the floor. And then I started thinking. Which, by the way, doesn't happen too often! = ) How many children out there need to have a mommy? Want to say those same words to someone, but can't? Need to feel love, protection, and support from someone, but no one is there to offer it? For so many children, words like these are impossible to say. There is no one. They are totally alone in this world. How about my little Ethiopian child? Where is he right now? Is he out there somewhere, totally alone? Has his mommy died? Is she too sick to care for him? Does he have enough to eat? Is he already at an orphanage feeling sad and lonely? Wanting to have a mommy who will hug and kiss him and hold him and care for him? I just want to tell him, "I'm coming, my dear child. Just as fast as I can. I'm coming for you. I can't wait to see you, to hug you, to kiss you, to hold you and tell you that everything will be alright. To care for you forever. To be your very own mommy who will be here for you, no matter what. And you will be my little boy. And I will cherish you always."

There is a HUGE orphan crisis in the world today. I have heard several different numbers, from 143 million to 168 million orphans. No matter the number, it is absolutely staggering to think of that many children - all needing someone to care for them. All needing a mommy and daddy. All needing the basic necessities of life. I read once that if only 8% of people who call themselves Christians would care for just one of these children, there would be no more orphans. The crisis would be over. And each one of these precious children would have a mommy and daddy. So what about you? Is there someone out there for whom you could make a difference? Either through adoption, foster care, or a sponsorship program? It's up to us to be the change. To be the hands and feet of Jesus in this fallen world. To spread a little light in all the dark corners, and to open our hearts to those who need us.

One Hundred Years from now 

(excerpt from "Within My Power" by Forest Witcraft)

One Hundred Years from now 

It will not matter 

what kind of car I drove, 

What kind of house I lived in, 

how much money was in my bank account 

nor what my clothes looked like. 

But the world may be a better place because 

I was important in the life of a child.