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.
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
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
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