#ImportantToGod

[siborebro13]

WHY SHOULD WE CARE?

We were recently asked to speak about Sinani, the non-profit organization that Brenda and I are leading. We care for orphans, widows and the vulnerable throughout the province of Mpumalanga and in Malawi with about 1500 orphans under our umbrella. As we mentioned this to someone from the church, she said to us... “People are Sick of Hearing About Orphans”. I thought wow! That is rough. But then I asked myself Why should anyone care? I went to the bible to research what it says about orphans, widows and the poor. What I found was surprising to me. Did you know there are more than 400 references related to these topics? I’ve been taught that when something is repeated in scripture, God really wants us to pay attention. How about if it’s repeated 400+ times?? So back to the question. Why should we care? Because it’s close to God’s heart! He tells us that over 400 times. 

South Africa is in the top ten (by number) of orphans globally. This is a crisis and I believe God’s solution is His church - Not the government. If we as the church, ignore this, it will be catastrophic for our children and our children’s children. “Feeding schemes” aren’t enough. Children need to be mothered and fathered, not just fed. So, after being humbled by reading what scripture says about orphans, widows and the poor... I came to the conclusion that the core issue is not about orphans or the poor at all... It’s about our hearts.

I get it. When things get in the way of our agendas and life is comfortable, it’s very easy to ignore uncomfortable situations that may be competing for our attention. As Easter approaches, I find myself thinking - what if Jesus decided not to get into the messiness of our lives? What if he thought of us as too much of an inconvenience? I think this is a challenge to the church today. Are we willing to pay attention and even sacrifice for what is important to God? Or has life become the pursuit of our own comfort where we can’t be bothered by anything that comes in that way of that?

[snapchallenger2016-blog]

Friday Night Lights                M.L.

Breakfast: Water, meds. Got my important meds. $22. Thank the good Lord, they do not cost more.

Lunch: 3 out of the  6 cheese & crackers package. Save half for tomorrow. Three chocolate chip Angel cookies. Boy were they good. I am so blessed to have people who care about me and mine.

5 p.m. handful of cheese nips.

Supper: Home late from Grandchildren’s. Love them so much! SOOO smart. They are 4 & 1/2 and they are watching “How It’s Made” and other science shows. Do believe we have two genius’ in the making. Don’t worry about food when I am with them. Their grandpa bought ice cream sandwiches and those cones with the nuts on top. The ones that have the biggest crunch and chocolate in the very last bite. My grandson wanted my little “tail”. I love that last bite a LOT, but I love my grandson a million times “a lot”. I was happy to share the best bite with him. I love those little people so much. Miss them badly between visits. 

On the way home from Iola, I stopped to use my last portion of my Angel A & W gift card. Two pieces of chicken, fries and a drink. Got it to go, as I have homework to do when I get this posted. YaY, HomeWork. :(  just kidding.

As I headed home, I was seeing horse trailers, lights down at the fairgrounds. It hurts to think of all the other kids who grew up getting cotton candy, funnel cakes, curly fries, food at the rodeo... When I was growing up, I didn’t get all of the special fair foods I wanted. I SO wanted to make sure my own kids got the treats at the fair. Most of the time we were digging in the car cushions to get change to buy anything. I cannot remember exactly when I got my food stamps cut back to $32 a month, but I believe it was back in 2005 or so. That money went to buy milk. Jugs of milk as my son played football, my daughter loved milk and cereal, and milk is my favorite drink. 

I just wanted to cry. Not only does the fair time remind me of struggles with money and food, but also all the people who meant anything to me growing up in 4-H were gone. My folks were not here to help guide me. I needed their help with my kids, my life, my everything. If you had or have your parents with you here as an adult and on into your children’s lives, be thankful. It is not the same without them. Life is hard enough, but to miss the people who mean the world to you is very, very painful. Appreciate them. We, as parents all make mistakes. I have made many extra mistakes. Being naive’ is one of my worst qualities. Loving people too much is another. Make memories with your kids. Try not to base it around food. I did not come from a poor family. I can from a hard working family that had a few set backs, such as losing my brother the year I was born. Trust me when I tell you to make memories playing games, reading books, coloring with you children or grandchildren. I hope to make it down to the fair so that I can see my old fair buddies, and their kids. If you cannot afford to buy goodies for them to eat, pack something special. Perhaps years later, you will not regret how sad, and upsetting it is when they ask you for a snow cone or funnel cake and you have to say “no”  because you have no money. Jars my soul to the bones thinking what I had become. I just wanted their young lives to be happy. 

Two days left in July. No food stamps for me on August first. Another month to make due. I am not poor, I am rich in Jesus.  Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

11pm snack four small squares of dark angel chocolate bar. God bless, stay prayed up and remember to say Thank You. He loves us all.