I Once Was Fatherless...

My heart is breaking for the fatherless. I know God has put me in the middle of messy situations so my heart would be broken and I would open my eyes and heart and respond.

4 years ago I did not stay awake at night distressed over fatherless children. We have had many people live with us the last 14 years of our marriage. Our home has always been a place for the wanderer to rest for awhile. But everything is changing. We now have a sponsorship program for 100 orphans in Africa and 3 foster children living in our home. I do believe God is asking us to take in 2 more.

WHAT IN THE WORLD are you thinking Lord...and WHY IN THE WORLD me???

Maybe it's because I was once fatherless.

My mom had me when she was 16. I met my dad for the first time when I was 5. He has never been a consitant part of my life. My mom was fatherless. Her dad was in prison 3 times, the last time for 23 years. She was a fatherless teenager trying to raise a fatherless child. Since there were no Christians involved in our lives and she was trying to make it on her own without Jesus you can probably figure out where her efforts led her and I. Not to very good places. I experienced sexual abuse and ended up working in the sex industry from 18 to 22. I had no hope. I was destined to produce more fatherless children and repeat the cycle.

Aaawww but then Jesus came and rescued me...and later her.

Now I am no longer fatherless. I have had a perfect Daddy for the past 15 years. A Daddy who rescued me and put people in my life to love me with His love. How could I not do for others what He has done for me. I have His commands written to me in His word. I have read them over and over and over for years. I have experienced first hand the shame, rejection and pain of living without a daddy for so long.

How could I ignore the pain I see in these kids lives. All hundred and something of them who have become precious to me and always have been precious to God. I can not make a difference in every fatherless child in the world. But I can for the ones He puts before me by the power of His Spirit alive inside of me.

This morning He asked for my obedience once again. Once again I have wrestled through all the reasons why I can't. But in the end He has brought me back to this simple Truth....I have been rescued and loved and brought into His family after years of pain and hopelessness...and now I must give my life for these children and welcome them in His Name.

Please help me by your prayers.