My Boy...

While all of our children are amazing, I want to share with you in particularly about my son Eyob. God's hand is upon this child, and most definitely is a part of his heart and life. I just want to share with you some things that he has shared with us in these past few weeks since we have been home. Just a reminder he is only 12 (well 13 in America, but 12 yet in Ethiopia).

Mom: "How many kids do you want when you grow up Eyob?"
Eyob: "As many as the Lord wills."

Mom: "Eyob, are you afraid to leave your brothers in Ethiopia?"
Eyob: "No Mom, God will protect them."

Dad: "Eyob, I think one day you will be a pastor...you are so smart!"
Eyob: "No, I want the Lord to send me where ever He wants." (He explained he wants to travel and teach others about Jesus).

Today at church...The teacher was talking about something that we should do as believers...
Eyob: "Amy, if we don't have Jesus in our heart first, then none of this matters."

"Mom, a man can give gifts with his body...but unless he welcomes another with his heart, then he is not welcomed."

We sometimes have no idea what the Lord has in store for us or why. When we obey God, He uses us to fulfill His plan. He will accomplish it with or without us, willingly or unwillingly (like Jonah and the whale), but He would rather use us willingly. I have no idea why the Lord has called us to adoption of many children, but I do know this. He wants them to know Jesus. He wants to use them for His glory..and already has. God is good, all the time.

James 1:27, is not just for the widows and orphans, it is for us as well. Yes, the verse speaks about caring for the widow and orphan in their distress...but it also talks about keep ourselves from being polluted by the world. When we do what the Lord has commanded we are blessed. Although nine children seems like a lot, (and it is) God has provided everything we have needed. I do not presume to say that our children are blessed as much as we are. They have already changed our lives, and God has taught us more then we could have ever imagined. I have heard over and over, how blessed these children are and how they have been given the opportunity to new life...while this is true, I would argue, that we are more blessed than they AND we have also been given an opportunity to new life.

Oh friends! I urge us to consider our ways. What are we living for? Are we really living for Christ? If we were to be honest with ourselves, could we say that we are ready to give ALL to Jesus, even if it went against all of our logic and rational? Would we follow Him into the desert? Would we follow Him beyond our reason? Would we love the "least of these"? God wants more than a willing heart...he wants an obedient heart. He wants doers of His word, not just hearers. I am not saying that everyone should adopt...but I am saying that everyone should care...

How?

Isaiah 1:17-20 - Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Friends, lets wake from our slumber! Lets learn to do right, lets defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the case of the widow, together. If only 7% of professing Christians obeyed these commandments...there would be NO MORE orphans in the WORLD!

" If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best fromt he land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For he mouth of the Lord has spoken.