:: A Moment of Reflection

You want to know how a huge God-thing is happening? It's when a woman of God meets with tragedy and the blogosphere lights up with prayer and well-wishes in the span of a day.  It's when friends, near and far, rally around and sing her praises as a friend, a mother, a sister, a wife.  It's when she has friends who care deeply for her and lift her up in prayer when she needs it most.  That, my friends, is the work of God's love...being lived out here on this earth.

:: Heartbroken

"Break my heart, God, for what breaks Yours."

I believe God's heart is breaking for the orphan.  I've been struggling lately with the desire to adopt again, and how to reconcile this desire with current family circumstances.  I'm not sure what is ideal anymore, but I do know that now is not the best time for us to consider adoption.  So why is MY heart breaking for the orphans?  What can little insignificant *me* do about it?

Why Adopt?

I just recently posted this bumper sticker on my facebook page. It’s a BOLD statement, one that I knew could cause some controversy. Does this mean to be “pro-life” you need to adopt? On some level, I believe yes! To take a pro-life stance is to take a pro-child stance. If we ask others to keep their babies that were conceived not in the best of situations, to most likely be born not into the best of situations, we need the resources to care for those children in the event that they are orphaned or given up for adoption. Those “resources” should be the ones who ask demand that no child be murdered in the womb…Christians.


Hear me out. We are called by God to care for the orphans of the world (James 1:27). What does this look like? To me, at first it looked like sending money to some obscure orphanage in some obscure region in some poor country. And maybe, just maybe, someday I would go and physically be there in a show of support and Christian love…just to eventually leave for my cushy life in the US and resume the money-sending.

Until I began the process of adopting an orphan.

My true belief is that when we are called to care for orphans, we are called to give them homes…to give them parents! I don’t believe that there is one child out there who does not painfully yearn for a forever family. Even in the best of situations (when the orphanage is run well, is stocked with all necessities, has loving caregivers, etc.), children constantly look at the front door wondering, “when will my parents come to take me home?” (just ask a first-hand witness…my son). Sadly, most orphans do not receive quality care and many are left to lay in cribs day in and day out, being fed by bottles with the tips cut off so that they drink it quickly and the “caregiver” can move on to the next child asap. They rarely reach the age-appropriate milestones that are so critical in childhood development…thus severely handicapping them for life as an adult. Is this what God wants? For us to *only* send money so that these kids can languish in orphanages like that? For them to eventually become disconnected and ostracized members of adult society (if they don’t commit suicide before then)? I’m not so sure. For we were adopted into the family of God…He took us as his own - despite our seeming unworthiness - and promised us everlasting life with Him…NOT apart from Him (Eph 1:5).  Shouldn't we do the same?

Don’t get me wrong, I am SO not against sending money to support orphanages. On the contrary, we Christians should do everything we can to make sure that orphanages are supported and properly equipped. And I believe there is a niche of Christians who can easily do this…the unmarried, the elderly, the couples who do not feel called to have children, the families who are no longer expanding…yada, yada. But I would issue this challenge to those married couples who do want children…consider adoption. In Russia alone, there is over ¾ of a million orphans. That’s just one country. There’s also China, Africa, Latin American, South America, Europe, Haiti…and our own backyard, the USA. It’s utterly heartbreaking how many beautiful amazing children out there need forever families.

Adoption. Is it scary? Yes. Is it overwhelming? Yes. Is it uncomfortable? Yes, at times. Is it a blessing beyond comprehension? YES! I truly believe that God equips people with honest discernment when they earnestly seek His will in adoption. Does this mean everyone should pursue adoption? No, not necessarily. While I am very opinionated and passionate about this subject, I cannot (and will not) condemn others for not adopting. Ultimately it is a decision reached through much prayer and supplication. And it is a decision reached with God at the helm. Personally, I just find it disturbing that, out of so many Christian families expanding in America, so few even consider adoption. I’d like to see us getting a little out of our comfort zone…and a little out of the “but it’s not MY child” mentality. Because, Frankly speaking, even our biological children are on loan to us in this world. All children ultimately belong to God, but it’s up to US to care for them while we are all here. I’d love to someday see the seemingly impossible dream of orphanages becoming obsolete become reality…wouldn’t that be just so awesome?!

Oh, and there is always foster care to consider... ;)

Radical - Chapter One

*This post is part of a read-along of the book "Radical", by David Platt.  It is being hosted by Marla Taviano if you would like to join in or would just like to follow along.*

 For some reason I had a really hard time writing this post in response to reading chapter one of "Radical". In school terms, this "essay" was due yesterday. I started it numerous times and then erased practically everything I wrote. Finally I walked away thinking I'd just come back to it later when I had some time to reflect. As of right now I still have no idea what will end up here.

I think that it is because God is trying to teach me something. Something I am having trouble wrapping my head around.

I could start with the blame game. I could tell you that my church is SO one of those self-catering churches mentioned in the book.  How everyone seems to have trouble looking past the walls out into the community. How some even have trouble looking outside the sophomoric clicks that I thought I had left behind in high school. Oh how I could rant about all of that! But how productive would that be? I am reading this book to find where God might be leading me...and by extension my family. I am also reading this book because, through various sources, it has been exposed to me rather frequently as of late. I can only assume God is trying to get my attention...not to point out what is lacking in my church, but what is lacking within ME.

Ok, God, I'm listening!

I am guilty of believing that the "American Dream" is the endgame that will bring ultimate happiness. From a young age I bought into the idea that I was entitled to success...if I worked hard and followed the "ADB" (American Dream Blueprint). Trouble is, I did that and it hasn't brought me happiness. I'm not even content! I am...searching. I need to bring Jesus out of the box I've put Him in. I need to REALLY study the gospel and BE the person God intended me to be. Does that mean I need to do something "radical"? Probably, because as David Platt writes, Jesus saying "Follow Me" contains radical implications (p.11).

But I know I will not go it alone.

And I know that if it is God's will, doors will open and opportunities will arise. I just need to be open to whatever that might be. And then maybe, just maybe, the change in me will be enough to make a change in the people around me...and ultimately whatever church God places me in.

To coin a term from my generation, wouldn't that just be RAD?! :)

"Radical" read-along

Have you heard of the book "Radical" by David Platt?  It's part of a church movement called "The Radical Experiment" which essentially challenges Christians to take a hard look at the way we live our lives.  It's extremely convicting and invigorating at the same time, and it's definitely not for "Sunday-only Christians" (or maybe it is...who am I to say?!).

Without going much further into it (you can do that on your own), I am excited to be a part of an online read-along of Radical, put on by another blogger, Marla Taviano.  The study starts Sept. 7 and will go over a chapter a week.  I am so excited about this!  I have read the first couple of chapters before and it's the kind of book that really needs to be discussed and brainstormed about.  Due to kids and other fun aspects of my life (insert sarcasm font here), I never made the time to finish reading.  So now I have motivation!  I am posting this on my blog to invite others to join along in the reading and subsequent discussions.  If you have a heart for missions and (like me) struggle with Matthew 19:21-22, this might be just the study you need!  Oh, and you don't necessarily need to have a blog to participate. :)

Meet Travis

THE STARFISH STORY
Once there was a wise man who had a habit of walking
on the beach early each morning.

One day, he saw a young boy far in the distance and,

as he got closer, the wise man called out, 

“Good Morning! May I ask what it is you are doing?” 

The boy looked up and replied, 

“Throwing starfish into the ocean to save them.”

Seeing hundreds of starfish scattered along the
shoreline, the wise man commented, 

“But you can’t possibly save them all!
There are far too many!”

With that, the boy reached down and
picked up another starfish. 

He threw it into the ocean and replied, 

“It made a difference for that one.”

For about 5 years now, Tom and I have been supporting a little boy in Uganda.  His name is Travis and we "adopted" him through the Mirembe House - Starfish Programme.  This program (and our monthly donation) helps him attend school and supplies him with text books and other necessities.  Travis, however, is not an orphan.  He lives with his Grandmother who is gracious enough to send us yearly updates on how Travis is doing, and to thank us for our support and gifts.  She always starts her letters with "Dear Godmother & Godfather Thomas Recke Family".  This is a special treat, knowing that through the grace of God, we have an extension of our family living in Africa!  That reminds me... funny story:  I showed C the picture and read him the letter.  The conversation went something like this...

Me:  "C, this is Travis.  He lives in Africa and we send him money to help with his education.  Do you want me to read his letter to you?"

C:  "Yes!" (jumping up and down and clapping...he is so enthusiastic, bless him)

Me:  blah, blah, blah (it didn't say that, but I'm omitting most of the letter here so as not to bore you too badly)..."tell me, how is my brother?  Is he good?  Is he getting taller like me?  Does he like football & running like me?"

C:  "I HAVE A BROTHER?!" (more jumping up and down, more clapping)

Me:  "Well, sort of.  Mommy and Daddy are Travis' Godparents (not literally, mind you) so Travis is like a brother...a God-brother."

C:  "I have a BROTHER!!  I want to see him!"

Me:  "We can't right now because he lives a long ways away, but hopefully someday we can travel to meet him."

C:  "I can't wait!  I'm going to go tell Daddy I have a BROTHER!!"

Me:  "Make sure you bring the letter with you so Daddy doesn't freak out..!"

C's reaction to all of this really brought home the kind of excitement and enthusiasm we should have as followers of Christ.  To help even one child is such a blessing...reminding us that we can make a difference in this world, one starfish at a time.

She said it best...

 *UPDATE:  I rejoined the land of Facebook, if only so that people are not thinking I "de-friended" them.  I will, however, keep my use of it to a bare minimum...

Since I am no longer facebooking, I find I have time to stalk blogs again. This is important to me because often I am quite simply inspired by what my sisters in Christ are ruminating on, even though I may not know them from Eve.  This lady recently talked about "Designer babies, designer God" where her honesty and forthrightness is refreshing, especially in these times of tolerance and political-correctness (and dare I say, selfishness?!).  Then, in light of yesterday's post, I found this on the (in)courage website, which made me weep.  I'm glad I am not alone.