What happens, when as a newborn baby, your mother was too overtaken by drugs you've cried so much for so long that you've permanently destroyed your vocal chords?
What happens when your father has tied up your mother and forces 6 year old you and all of your siblings to torture her?
{Have I made you so disturbed you've stopped reading?}
What happens next?
What happens when people answer the call to dedicate their lives and families to loving the "least of these"?
What happens?
What happens if you've been asked to be that person?
What happens if you've been given the choice to live comfortably or live radically?
What happens next?
That's an answer saved for another day, but these are all questions we've been asked these past few days spent in Arizona.
During our stay we met some amazing people doing radical things. We met a couple, who after having already raised two of their own, felt the need to help out as many children as they could. And after only five months as house/foster parents, they have hugged, loved and safely cared for over 30 children and the number continues to rise! We met a young family that made the commitment to love unconditionally children who've been abused and abandoned. And we met many others who've dedicated themselves and their families to loving the unloved children.
We've been inspired. We've been moved to tears. We've been on our knees in surrender to the One who's Heart created these little ones to Live and Thrive. We've been called to love the "least of these".
And although we don't have an answer yet, we know that we were made to do something about the lack of love in this world... and we're getting ready...
So for our stay, we remained silent, laughing and playing when the time was right. But mostly learning and observing as much as we could. But one day we got out for a little exploring but only as far as the Cactus would let us.
What sweet sweet photos!
ReplyDeleteAnd what a wonderful message. Praise God for inspiration. So fitting for Christmas time.
Have a blessed one!
What happens next?
ReplyDeleteYou wait for God's green light...
...and then you obey.
Love your photos!!
ReplyDeleteJust imagining those first few lines nearly brought me to tears. I will be keeping you in my prayers. You have a long to pray about but I know that you were definitely born to do something radical!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the beautiful reminder to love the "least of these". God created them, too, and calls us to love on them. We have the power to change lives. The pictures are sweet. Especially the one of you and Joss at the end. Her eyelashes are STUNNINGLY long (:
ReplyDeleteLovely post. That girl of yours is VERY beautiful by the way.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots, especially the last one {meltmyheart} I was almost in tears upon reading this post. The pictures were wonderful, the words heart rendering. Praying hard for your future decisions and that the Lord will guide your footsteps as you follow His will.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. Beautiful pictures. XOXO
ReplyDeleteWow. :/ Amazing.
ReplyDeleteLove these pictures!
Oh my goodness Jhen! It was great to hear from you! I have no idea what happened...I have you in my RSS feed, but I haven't got any of your latest posts...i need to go back and catch up. Your baby is ONE???!! Oh my! Happy Birthday! Livia has those same PJ's - so funny! It's so funny seeing all these babies on different blogs all over the country wearing the same jammies - ha ha! Last time Ruari was wearing a pair that Livia has too - LOL!
ReplyDeleteWOW! I had no idea about your trip to AZ...I have a lot of catching up to do. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and it was great to hear from you! XOXO
hmmm...i just posted something very similar.
ReplyDeleteit is amazing when God opens your eyes and your heart. it is time for ALL of us to get to work.