Light in the Darkness

My momma & daddy shine light in the darkness by raising their children up in truth. 

For years, I've heard God whispering- no, it's been more than a whisper- I've heard God beckoning, saying, "adopt."  
Since this isn't the time for me, considering I'm 21 years old, single, still in school, and I have $70 to my name, I hoped that God was calling my parents to adopt. I was a mosquito in their ears about adoption. In fact, I prayed fervently that God would lead them to adopt and that they would do it. I found myself jealous of stories like Emily Chapman's, who prayed and prayed that her family would adopt, until they adopted 3 precious daughters from China and started the organization that I would come to love and work for- Show Hope, a movement to care for orphans. 
My parents are only 51 years old. They are in good shape and their love for each other grows more and more every day. Daddy has a great job and momma is a dedicated volunteer at our church and a stay at home mom. But I'm the baby, I live away from home, and I just have one more semester left of college. And there are 147 MILLION orphans in the world today. 

So, it makes sense that my parents should adopt, right?
Wrong. I believe firmly that not everyone is called to adopt, even though I begged God for years for my parents to adopt. But I am equally adamant that we are all called to do something to shine a light in the darkness. You see, for a while I thought, hoped, and prayed that my parents fell into the first category, not the latter. But now I see clearly that my parents shine a light in the darkness by raising me up in truth and by continuing to support me, at 21, in God's call on my life to look after orphans and widows in distress and to keep from being polluted by the world. 
And my parents are adopting in so many other ways. They "adopt" young families at church to mentor and love on. They "adopt" some of our church staff's children for a night or a weekend so that the couple can finally have a date night again. They care for my grandparents. They love with reckless abandon through their time and resources. They are better stewards of what God has given them than anyone I have ever seen. They are trusting God with my life and they are willing to support me, love me, and pray for me no matter where God points and says, "Go."  More than anything, they are following after Jesus. They believe that he was serious when he issued the great commission, and they remain completely and continually open to the nature of The Lord.

God is God, we are not. But recognizing that he could change this at any moment, he has not, to my knowledge, called my parents to adopt another child into part of our forever family. But my parents live out James 1:27 and they are without a doubt shining a light in the darkness, making a huge difference in the lives of the 147 Million.

How will you shine a light in the darkness?

Step by Step: Franklin

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. -Romans 11:33-36- 

I've entered into a new season of life. Less than a month ago, I returned home from Spain on April 26th. After a few days home with my beautiful family, I moved to Nashville for the summer. I am working for Show Hope, a movement to care for orphans. This non-profit in Franklin, TN was founded 10 years ago and focuses on orphan care and adoption aid. Show Hope equips parents who are adopting, gives financial grants to families in the adoption process, works in China at Maria's Big House of Hope and a few other care centers, and takes students, donors, and visionaries on short-term trips to both China and Haiti. As most of the trips are during the summer, this is a very busy time at Show Hope!

Tomorrow will mark the start of my third week at Show Hope, and this internship is a complete answer to prayer. I am thankful every day for the opportunity to work in a Christ-centered organization where ultimately, at the end of the day, all that matters is Jesus- "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2)  Our greatest passion is not orphan care. No, rather, our greatest desire is to know Christ and to make him known, and to follow his two greatest commandments: 1) 'Love theLord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind' and 2) 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matthew 22:37-39)  In response to this, and to James 1:27, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world," we are passionate about orphan care as well. I believe that we are all called to be obedient to James 1:27. However, I also believe that in my personal life, the Lord has called me to devote my entire life and career to it, as well.  

Practically, I have no idea what that looks like. I don't know where I will be going to law school a year from now. I don't know where I will live "when I grow up." I don't know if I'll work for the government, or for a private adoption agency, or a private firm. I don't know if I'll start my own agency. I don't know if I'll go back to Kenya or to Spain or to Fort Walton Beach. 

But I don't have to know. And, frankly, I don't care to know. Why? Because I'm walking step by step with my Maker. Right now, he has me in Franklin, serving and learning at Show Hope. I rest in 1 Thessalonians 5:24- "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." Whatever the "it" ends up being. More than anything, I just want Jesus. And I'm thankful for the opportunity to rest this summer, soaking up his word and his lessons when I'm not working, getting back to a regular exercise routine, and living life at a relaxed pace. I will be working through the end of the summer here at Show Hope, then returning to Auburn for one more semester before graduating in December with a degree in Spanish-International Trade.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to intern, learn, and serve at Show Hope. I'm thankful for the 2 families who have so generously hosted me this summer. I'm thankful for an office full of encouraging Christ-followers who spur me on even at work. I'm thankful for little reminders all over the place that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be. I'm thankful for summer sunshine and country music and sweet tea.
And I'm thankful that the Lord's wisdom, knowledge, and riches are far greater than my own, as he directs my steps.

Love,
EG