What do you do to make a difference?

On the CNN news this morning Anthony Roberts did an interview with a young woman who spent time in Africa with orphans. I'm not sure if the orphans had HIV/AIDS or they were orphaned because their parents died of AIDS. She mentioned that she's had babies die in her arms and how devastating it was. Anyways one of her statements was that no matter how good the orphanage was, it didn't compare to a family. A family that the children have at the end of a long day. A family of their own.

For our family at this time we can make a difference for some children. We can't make a difference for every child, but we can for some. These children from Ethiopia have made a difference in our lives. These babies of ours needed love. They needed and stll need healing. They need to know that someone thinks the sun rises and sets on them. What are the benefits we receive? We get to see the adorable ear-to-ear smile of a little fourteen month old. We get to see her learn to love her daddy who she wouldn't even look at when she arrived. I've been able to see her go from a screaming baby who grabbed her ears those first few days because she didn't know what in the world was going on with her to a loving little baby who willingly puckers up and gives kisses. She claps, she crawls, she waves her arms in the air out of pure happiness. To Adah, we made a difference.

To Anna we have made a difference. This little one who went from mom to grandma to orphanage to care center and then to us in less than a year had no idea who we were or what was happening to her now. Her voice didn't count. We have found that she is very strong-willed and very opinionated, but she's had to be. She's had to be her own advocate when there wasn't any consistency in her life. She's learning to love and to be loved. She's learning that not one person who comes through our door is here to take her away. This is her home. We are her family. She has a voice. We are learning to listen. She's very smart, and I hope that one day she will return to minister to her people. Recently I read that there are more doctors in Washington, D.C., then there are in all of Ethiopia. How wonderful would it be for her to be able to help bridge that gap? E3 Ministries goes on mission trips to Ethiopia, what an awesome thought that she could go back and share the gospel? The possibilities are endless for her. She has drive and smarts and a look that tells you she knows what she's doing. We have learned patience and how to be there for her when she's crying and seemingly for no reason. I personally think she's grieving, just a mother's instinct, and she has much to grieve. Hopefully we can do her some justice and love her more than she knows what to do with. (I tend to smother my kids with my kisses-just ask them.)

So I know that not everyone can adopt. Not everyone is called to adopt. But! You can do something for someone else. Volunteer at church to work with children. The blessings will knock your socks off. You will have lifelong friends that will always remember you. Some of the first children that I used to work with are now mommies, Navy SEALS, students, etc.... When I hug one of them I am truly blessed. They made a difference in my life.

You can sponsor a child through Compassion Intl. You could do Christmas boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Volunteer at the local homeless shelter or pregnancy Care Center. Offer to give seniors a ride to the mall. Drive them through for a burger. (I had one older neighbor that used to have me drive her through Burger King on our way home.) Give a homeless person a coat or a sandwich or whatever you have. Several times I've seen homeless people and have gone home and went through our coats and raced back to give them a coat, food, blankets, whatever I though might help.

See, there's something you can do. You can minister to your own children and husband. Make them a priority. Do you consider your husband's plans when you make plans? Does he even like to spend time with you or are you so snarly that he would rather you stay busy? Do you play games with your children? Do you enjoy your children? Our family sticks together like glue. To this day our second son will come get one of the boys and take him to his house to play games on his XBox 360. He comes over just to hang out. Or our oldest son stops by for dinner while on his shift. Both boys like to go our weekend soccer games.

What you invest now can only benefit you in the future. At one time I couldn't stand to be home, and this was when I only had two children! If there was an opportunity to get out and away from them, I took it. I reaped those attitudes when my oldest boys were teens. I then found that only by losing my life, do I find it. Invest in people. Don't invest in things. Things don't matter. What would you take with you in the event of a fire? Would you take your precious dishes? couch? paintings? NO!!! You would make sure your family was out. They are what matters. Let's start acting like it. Let's devote ourselves to one another in love.

And! read your Bible. By God filling you up; you can then turn around and bless others. Do everything as unto the Lord. If no one else appreciates what you've done, that's okay. You did it for God and He knows what you've done. Give of yourselves and work together to further His Kingdom. You can't out bless Him.