You who played with my children, cleaned my house, took care of my yard, and pre-made meals for my family, thank you. Please don't take those two words with a shrug because what you did was nothing short of being the hands and feet of Jesus. Think about that thought for a moment - Jesus, God-man, the Word, the creator of the Heavens and the Earth, the great rescuer... You did what he lived. You were being like God himself, following the beat of his heart. That is not to be taken lightly. That is a miracle, you are a miracle.
A few years ago as a family we sat down asking ourselves what is the most basic way to be like Jesus. As we read the Bible we kept seeing the recurring theme going from the prophets who never met Jesus, to Jesus himself and then to his friends which was to help those who need help. Isaiah the prophet said, "To feed the hungry and help those in trouble.." (Isaiah 58:10). Jesus said, "Whatever you did for the least of these you did for me." (Matt. 25:40) James said, "That pure religion is taking care of orphans and widows in their affliction" (James 1:27) These are my three favorite, but over and over we see this theme of helping the weak and needy. As a family we decided to embark on a journey to help other families. Knowing that our hearts would break we brought in children and have fully given ourselves to love them. Not only do we feed and clothe them, but we sing them to sleep when they are sick and snuggle them when they get hurt or just because we love to snuggle them. While we're feeding them late into the night we pray that some day we can give them back to the ones who birthed them. We pray that the most beautiful story of all can happen that these small ones we love can be reunited, because isn't that the story of the Bible? Where humans are separated from our maker and Jesus comes to reunify us. There is no story more beautiful then this one. So we decided to dive in and love children, and parents alike so that they can know this same love.
It sounds good on paper, but in real life it is the hardest task I've ever taken on. Not only as you saw do I get behind with the practical stuff like hands and knees floor scrubbing, but emotionally to love a child as your own knowing that someday you'll say goodbye. It is not natural yet that is what we have chosen to do. I give parents my number and tell them to text anytime. I write notes and send pictures so that they don't have any gaps in the photo albums. I've even had professional photos done of the kids, and I give gifts of the child's hand prints on Mother's day. I want to see these parents win. We don't know what will happen with the kids that have come and gone from our home. Until a judge decides we have no idea the future and so we love. My hope is that they reunite with their parents and that we get to be like an aunt and uncle to them, and if they can't reunite that we will be able to give them our last name. Honestly I have spent the last nine months wearing these words, "No fear in love" on my wrist and will soon have them tattooed there because this kind of love is scary. (1 John 4:18)
Sometimes it's good to get away just with my husband. Sometimes it's good to have a day without appointments. Sometimes it's good to just be me. This weekend you allowed me to do that. While you loved on my children and helped in practical ways we ate a hot meal without sharing a single bite. We held hands and sat by the ocean as we talked about life and watched the ducks swim by. We made jokes and laughed at each other. We talked about the upcoming school year and what the fall would bring. It was good and needed. Our spirits were refreshed.
You have now been added to our story, and these kids stories where miracle after miracle happens. Where God shows himself over and over in our lives. Where true life giving love happens. Where ordinary people, sometimes even strangers, show up just following the heart of Jesus. So you friend, thank you for saying yes, for showing up, and for loving all the hearts I love. Your gift will not be forgotten.
