” . . . He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.” 1 Samuel 2:8

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

What if . . .

we opened our homes, and hearts, as wide as possible, instead of living in our comfort zone

we saw our own deep brokenness in the eyes of others and chose to open our arms, instead of turn away

we lived our lives every day under the mandate of loving others above ourselves, instead of being focused on self gain

we truly chose to love as Jesus did and got deeply involved with people who desperately need Jesus, instead of only loving the “easy to love” friends

we remembered that everything we have is God’s, instead of clinging tightly to temporary things

we said yes to caring for the people God puts in our life, instead of searching for reasons to say no

we were willing to sacrifice in order to care for the poor, the sick, the orphaned, and the widowed, instead of living for short term pleasures

we truly believed that to die to ourselves is to live for Christ

I really wrote this for myself as I struggle to be more like Christ every day, and seek to put others above myself.  I want to live every day with an eternal perspective and open my arms wide to love His people.  One way He has called our family to do that is through adoption.  I love the Casting Crowns song that says “break our hearts for what breaks Yours,” and when we prayed that, it was so clear that He put adoption on our hearts.  Adoption is hard, and it’s so heartbreaking; but, He didn’t leave it there!  God had a story of love and redemption through adoption into a forever family, for orphans . . . and for all of us.  I’m so thankful to serve a God who loves so big and calls us to do the same.  My prayer is that I can put myself aside and love as He does in any way that He asks me to.