As a grown-up, I rip this question to shreds and then some with all kinds of thought processes: What can we afford? What looks impressive? What will bring the most yield? What organization has earned a spot on the Branch list of special-ness? What will bring the greatest sense of joy and accomplishment to the kids? Do we do the same thing as always? Do we mix it up? Choices, choices...
The kids, though, they don't think. They just do. Because that's just how it should work. They have toys, clothes, food and water. Other kids deserve the same.
"So, what are you waiting for, Mom?"
No strings attached. No strong arming. No politics. Just pure, unadulterated need meeting. It's precious. It's convicting.
So as we discussed options around the dinner table, I told them about someone I know that is gathering all kinds of people that have no clue who each other are and giving us a chance to work together to provide a well to a community through Samaritan's Purse.
Their reply: "Show us!"
I knew what would happen. Same thing that happened when we looked at the Compassion website a few months ago...they would not be able to turn their backs on the faces of those in need. They would not justify inaction by using the "well, we already" excuse. They would be the voice of God Himself telling me that it really doesn't matter if I think 2+2=4, when God calls you to do something, He can cause 2+2 to equal 16 if He needs to. I doubted, God hit me over the head, I said "ouch and OK" and we now rejoice every month as we pray over the pictures of our extended Compassion family. That whole process was quite a profound one in my world, and an ongoing one. I won't soon forget it.
I knew this was going to open up a can of something, so to speak, yet I surfed around online anyway, explaining to them how much money was needed for a well, the impact it would have, the type of community it would go to, how many kids would be saved by the well, etc. I was holding my breath, waiting for them to tell me to do something about it already.
But they didn't.
They left the room. Hudson spoke for all of them:
"That's it...I'm going to get my wallet!"
Eight legs marched up the stairs and back down. Eight hands started dumping bills and change on the counter. Four mouths inquired if the change was in fact OK...and then demanded that I pass it along to my friend. Exclamations like "Let's get those people some water!" and "We are going to help you, thirsty people!" permeated the air.
As they counted it up, they forbid me from giving any of "my" money. I wasn't allowed near my purse. They wanted to do this one on their own. They calculated the sacrifice, each of them giving differing amounts according to what they thought they should do. They knew how many birthdays' savings it would cost. How many chores would need to be done to make up for it.
They didn't care.
Correction...they cared more about the faces of those in need than they did the faces staring back at them in the mirror hanging over the faucet that gives them clean water each and every day.
I know this response took place because of many influences: their school that has a contest in order to help stock local food pantries, their preschool that collected toys for local families, our church that gathers gloves and mittens for a local ministry to distribute to families, my amazing mom who each year looks through every page of Samaritan's Purse gift catalogs with each of them more times than she can probably even count...allowing each of them to pick out something for her to purchase for a child in need. They hear stories, they recognize over-doing it. And yes, I believe their increased sensitivity and awareness is also in part because of the way they have seen people surround and support us in tangible ways through the craziness of the past year and a half...and even still to this day.
Bottom line is this: they get it. And then they teach it. To me.
And for that I am very grateful.
P.S I would be completely off my rocker to not mention how you can add to my kids' pile of one dollar bills and loose change in contributing towards this well...I take no credit for the amazingness of pulling random strangers together for a purpose as great as this, but I will gladly do what I can to send you in FPFG's direction. (Just please do not ask her anything in regards to how big my hair was when we went to church camp together in Ohio.)
Click here to donate. It's secure. It's specific. It's self-explanatory.
Click here to read more about FPFG and the way that she has allowed God to use her voice to truly make a difference...as well as the gift she has given each of us by inviting us to get on board. I know she would be the first to tell you that she is just another flawed wife and mama doing her best to get her Jesus on and teach her kiddos to do the same. However, I will be just one of many people who will tell you that she is the real deal. She listens when God tells her to do something. Then she does it. I will never forget the random night about a year ago when I realized this to be the case on a personal level. She chose to neglect the fact that we weren't exactly close friends and that there are certain conversations you just don't have with people other than your besties. God used her in my life that night and I know He has used her in many other lives both before and since then. Needless to say, God has given her a platform. She is being a good steward of it. It's impacted my kids. And for that I am also truly grateful.
1 comments:
I love your kids' hearts! They are amazing people!
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