Oh, How He Loves Us

If you read blogs much at all then no doubt you’ve heard Debra Parker’s plight in trying to get her newly-adopted son Ronel out of Haiti and into her arms.  I’ve wept as she has shared how her husband, Ernest, has slept on the floor of the Embassy in Haiti interceding on behalf of this child who is already theirs in heart. This is a woman I do not know other than through the world of web and yet this family’s anguish and frustration has completely hijacked my thoughts and prayers since I heard of it a few days ago. 

Can you imagine?  Your child is in a country of collapsed and crumbling buildings.   Inadequate food.  Unimaginable stench.  Surrounded by death and dying.  Held captive by bureaucracy.  Hopelessly aware you’ve done all you can do to get him out.  A signature - a seemingly simple transaction – is all that stands between this boy and new life.  And you - his rescuer -  wait and hope for the decision to be handed down that will mean his freedom.

I told Luke about Ronel this morning before church and sobbed like a baby.  He may have cried too.  In a world that shuts its ears to the horrors happening around us, these stories and images are the things that awaken a frenzy to do something to relieve the suffering of those who are living in conditions we deem unlivable.   It was while I was pondering these things that something occurred to me.

We are all orphans. 

Orphans living in a world that is collapsed and crumbling.  Starving for spiritual food.  Surrounded by death and dying.  Held captive by bureaocracy.  And all that is between us is a transaction -  a simple decision – between us and eternal life.  The same angst we feel and then fades when we come face-to-face with tradgedy and injustice is the eternal, urgent heartbeat of a God who is on a mission to rescue each and every suffering one.  He’s aware He’s given His best to get us out but this time, the decision for freedom is ours.    

How great is the love the Father has poured out on us that we should be called the children of God.

Please join me in praying not only for Ronel to be united with his family, but also for the many other children who are without homes and food and parents tonight.  Also, please pray for my brother-in-law, TJ, who has traveled to Depinos (changed from Port Au Prince) to minister there.

UPDATE from my sis-in-law, Laura Beth: 

“They are going to The Haiti Gospel Mission in Despinos (as far as we know). The plans changed again the morning of the trip. Just spoke with him and they were about to cross the border into Haiti. Said the poverty was unbelievable.”

January 31, 2010 | Filed Under Gratitude, Prayer Warriors Unite | 7 Comments 

Making A Statement

I’m a huge fan of the statement ring and I tend to be overzealous in proselytizing my girlfriends to be the same.  So, imagine my delight – my sheer happiness! –  when I got this pic of Charity (Mary’s adorable daughter – love her!) showing me that she’d bought a ring from Charming Charlies just like one I wore to Revive 2010. 

Look, a convert!   (A convert with collar bones.  I’m trying not to be jealous considering mine have been in hiding since 1996 aka The Year the Babies Took Over.)

Seeing Charity’s ring inspired me to show you a couple more from my collection.

1.  The Dogwood:  My first big ring.  I got it at The Limited (Clearance of course. For some reason it must not have been a big seller?) I ADORE it.

 

 

2.  This one has an amber-colored stone so I wear it with most of my browns.  A treasure from Kohl’s.

 

2.  The Gladiator:   This one is a bronze metallic dome and for some reason makes me think of armor.   My kids who have been thumped in the head with it when  being rowdy in church agree.  Where did it come from?   Target, baby!

4.  Bejeweled Blitz:  This is my latest purchase from CC’s.  If there is one in your area, you simply must go.  All the jewelry is displayed by color so it’s easy to find something to go with that new blue sweater.

 

5.  This next photo is to give you an idea of scale.  (Notice I cropped out my nails which are overrun with winter-dried cuticles)  When Luke saw this ring he said, “don’t you think that’s a bit excessive?”  to which I delightedly answered, “Why YES!  YES IT IS!”   He then said, “I bet you paid $10 for that thing!”  I simply turned to him and said, “You are welcome.”

Him:  You’re welcome?

Me:  Yes, you’re welcome because you have a wife contented with $10 jewelry.

Him: Man, did I mention I love that ring!?

 

Which begs the question:  What kind of jewelry girl are you?  Would you rather have one fabulous ring for a $1000 or one hundred $10 costume rings?   Is your style classic or gaudy?

I think y’all know my answers.

p.s.  Thank all of you who responded to the Obedience question.  I haven’t forgotten about it!  I’m working on crafting a thoughtful post versus one that resembles this one.

January 28, 2010 | Filed Under Girls Just Wanna Have Fun | 23 Comments 

The Disconnect Between Knowing and Doing

So I’ve been doing a lot of studying in James 1:22-25 in preparation for my church’s annual women’s retreat.  (And it totally wasn’t lost on me that Beth got on this passage in Session Two of Breaking Free tonight!)  James is not for the faint of heart.  Homeboy just tells it like it is which is why I’m particularly fond of him even in the midst of recovering from the wounds he inflicts on my sinful soul.  One of the themes of our study weekend will address the disconnect between heart and hand – of what we hear versus what we do.  In short, it’s all about obedience, girlfriends, which is the point of my writing today.

One of the beauties of our blog community is the wealth of life experience that we are able to share with one another.    Your insights are invaluable to me because you bring balance to my points of view which may not cover the full spectrum of the needs of those listening.  Yes, I trust the ‘rhema’ word of God, but I also know that as a woman I need practicality for a lesson to hit home.

Do you girls care if we have ourselves a little discussion?  I welcome you to answer anonymously if you’d like.  

1.  Think of the most current thing the Lord has asked of you in the matter of a command/conviction/etc.   Did you obey what He asked of you?

2.  If yes, was it relatively easy?    Was it excruciatingly hard?     What was the end result?

3.  If you did not, why?    Does the term ’spiritual blackmail’ speak to the possibility of some perceived disaster Satan has used to threaten your obedience?

These questions are vague because I want to explore your responses.   I encourage you to expand on these thoughts in any way you feel compelled.  

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.    I’ll talk back in the comments!

January 25, 2010 | Filed Under Bible Study | 17 Comments 

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