Everlasting

As I was cleaning the other day, I came across an old forgotten prayer journal from a couple of years ago. This was my prayer on December 27, 2010 --

 

"and I ask that you would provide funds, a plan, and a way for my family to help the orphan and those who have dedicated their lives to caring for your little ones."

 

Since that time, I have continued to pray for the orphan. I have helped when I could, but I have done that in the safety of my home, the comfort of my living room. I didn't feel there was any way for me to travel to China and be part of an active ministry caring for the orphan. I had too many commitments here. I had lots of reasons for the "why" I couldn't go. Until the Lord ever so gently reminded me those were just "my" reasons, and he had a bigger plan....

 

A little over 2 years after praying that prayer, the Lord called me and members of my family to follow His heart to an orphanage in China with the Visiting Orphans team. We He called, we had no funds for the trip. We certainly have no great talent to take. The greatest thing we can take and contribute on this trip is The One who lives in our hearts. And I am reminded, He is more than enough. He is entrusting us to take Christ's love to the orphan. When I see this from an eternal perspective, the reasons to stay home are trivial. The reasons to go are huge. No funds? He called us. He will provide the funds. Nothing special about me? Alone, I am not so special, but with Him....I can be what He wants me to be. I have no great gifts or talents to take? He will provide what we need. He will place us where He can use us to the greatest effect. Our hearts would feel a little less bruised if we could stay here in our comfort and pray for Him to rescue the orphan, but sometimes prayer requires action. The Lord has been reminding me of all this and so much more, and while He has been teaching me, I found that forgotten prayer…

 

I am reminded that our prayers are everlasting. The Lord doesn't forget even when our frail human self does. He took my prayer, and at His given time, He has made a way for that prayer to become reality in my life. He cares for the orphan, and He has invited my family to join in and be His hands and feet, taking His love to the least of these!

 

Halli sums it up quite nicely. In her words, "He has given me a great beginning. I was an orphan, and then I was adopted. I have a family who loves me, now I can go to China and show the orphans that someone loves them."

 

Psalm 145: 3-4 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.