Saturday, December 27, 2014

Christmas Orphan

It was Christmas and I wanted more than anything to adopt this little boy I met at an orphanage in South Korea. 

When I first met him, it was as if I knew immediately there was something special about him. He stole my heart because he was so precious and God stirred something in me to recognize something in his spirit- He is one of God's children, present or future, it doesn't matter, He is God's. And he needs to be loved! We only got to spend a short time with the children, passing out gifts and taking pictures, as we were visiting multiple orphanages that day. But there was just something about this little boy, 8 years old, that really made me ache for him to have a family to be there for him in the ways he needed. 
The next day, I went back with my friends to give him gloves and a hat that I had bought for him to keep him warm in the winter. He may have thanked me; it didn't really matter at the time, but I could tell he was so excited to get the gift, it made him light up!

 In the gift, he may have seen acceptance or love or someone who believed in him. It may have just been cool to get an extra Christmas gift to show off to his friends! But I held onto the memory of his sweet spirit and I still pray for him when I think of him. His mom is still in the picture, from what I had heard when I had visited the next day after our Christmas visit. But she is unable to take care of him. I would have loved to adopt him if I were able. But I know that through my prayers, I can make a difference in his life. Through God working in his life, he will see that people believe in him. That people care about him and love him. He will feel God's arms around him. He will stand strong and tall one day as a man of God. 
Please say a pray for him today as Christmas is nearing again, 3 years later. Pray that God strengthens him and warms his heart and provides for all his needs, that he recognizes God's love for him and comes to know him. That God raises up a family to be there for him and love him always. 
God promises us, "I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you." John 14:18
This promise can apply to you as well. If you ever felt abandoned, remember that God will never leave you, He will come to you and rescue you and comfort you! For all the ways people fail us or fall short or disappoint or hurt, there is a reason. People were not made to fully meet all our needs! We cannot always love each other perfectly. Only with God is there perfect love. Still, God calls us to love others even in the pain, even when they disappoint us. Even when we fail. 
God desires you and loves you just as if you were an orphan who needed someone to be there for them! His heart melts for orphans and praying for them can help us to draw nearer to God as we learn more about His heart for His people. And His heart for us. God loves you more than you could imagine. Stop. For a moment. And think about it. God promises He will never let you go. Even if you run away uninterested or deny Him. His heart breaks, but He loves you and our God is a God who pursues and fights for the ones He loves, which is really an amazing thing that I am super thankful for!
 When has God come through for you and rescued you in a powerful or surprising way? Please comment below. I would love to hear your stories about orphans or anything related! 
 (These pictures are of other precious children we visited. I did not get a copy of the picture with the little boy I so wanted to adopt! However, the little one not pictured could also be "your" little one that you spiritually adopt and commit to pray for- check out this awesome site that allows you the privilege of praying for an orphan- one who is on God's heart! Or pray for these cherished children waiting to be adopted today. It's as easy as asking God if He would have you pray for a certain child and printing out their picture to share with your family and friends to pray for!) 

Deut. 31:6 I thought all three of these versions spoke out strong truths! What parts of these verses- what words stand out to you or touch you the most?
New International Version
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
New Living Translation
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."
English Standard Version
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

I am going on The World Race! I will be joining a team through Adventures in Missions, going to 11 countries in 11 months to share God's love with the least of these: orphans, widows, the poor, and human trafficking victims.  Learn more on my World Race blog here.