Will you love me until the world stops turning?

I guess something has been eating at me a bit. I think it might come off strong and big because my passion around children is growing. Passion starts out big, so when passion grows some body better make room.

I also want to preface this with the fact that I am not judging here. I am not. If you feel judged, you are choosing to feel it on your own (or being affected by a higher power than my silly little opinion). This is not meant to be a guilt trip, it's my heart. This is what is in my heart.

Do you know what happens to some children who are in orphanages around the world? Some are loved and cared for. Some are fed well and someone sings them to sleep. Someone teaches them to pray and someone knows their potential. Someone in the orphanage, sneaks them a bedtime snack, someone shares their heart with an orphan. An orphan living in an orphanage might have someone who loves them.

But for other children, there is fear and silence and loneliness. For some, an orphanage is a cold and lonely place. Maybe they don't even know what love is. No one tucks them in a night, no one kisses away tears. No one. And that is heart breaking. Heart wrenching. Unfathomable.

Yet other children face abuse, and maltreatment, lack of food or clothing. Used as slaves, forced labor, prostitution and servitude. They might be exploited, married off as young children, or forced into the military.

So, when people ask me if adoption is a lot of work or if it costs a lot of money, I don't know how to answer that. When people say what an amazing person I am, or tell me what a special person I am. I don't see it that way.

In one hand a I hold some money, in the other hand the dreams of a child.

In one hand I hold excess of food and wants, in the other hand I hold the life of a child.

In one hand I have my American way of living, in the other a child, starving and cold.

What I do is a very small change for the world. It might be a big deal for the child, but that is for the child to decide, not me. Hopefully she grows up and just knows that I loved her, not feeling indebtedness to me for giving her the world. Not feeling guilt or liability for opportunity and privilege, but knowing I loved him and protected him and that he had the opportunity to pursue happiness. That's all I want them to know - I love them.

So if you ask me if adoption is a lot of work or if you ask me "how do you do it?", or if you tell me what a big heart I have, know that I don't hear you. I don't really hear your question. If you saw a child broken, starving and naked, would you walk by. No, no you wouldn't. So if you see these children, if they pull at your heart, do something. Adopt, sponsor a child, give to a worthy cause, volunteer.... and if you think, "I can't do any of those things", it is okay, because there is something even bigger you can do... Pray. I covet every last prayer I can get these days.

Love them. Pray for them. And if the opportunity finds it's way to your heart, then adopt, foster, give, or volunteer.

Above all, Love them!
Above all, Love them!
Above all, Love them!