It has been a shamefully long time since I have given any sort of update. The more time passes, the harder it is to write one. There is so much going on and so much that happens that it is hard to pick a topic. I could talk about my adventures; Sari shopping, having an auto run out of gas in the middle of a busy intersection, praying with a beggar on the street, learning how to ride the bus, having the Hyderabad police run off two gay men that were trying to get money from the group of volunteers I was with, etc, etc. I could talk about my girls; each of the ways I have seen each of them struggle and thrive, how I've seen them grow, the things I want to teach them, and everything I want to give them. I could talk about me; what I am learning, how Jesus has been growing me, and what that looks like in my life. Shoot, I could talk about the culture, relationships with other volunteers, the ways I've seen God's provision, the Church here, and on and on.
So what am I going to talk about?
Well, all of the above and none of the above. :)
I am going to talk about love.
I know, it sounds really cliche. And maybe it will be. But this is what I've been thinking about.
"The children here, all they need is love. You can give them that."
We were sitting in a bus, waiting to get started. The nurse and I started talking about the kids at SCH and the different volunteers that come through when she made that comment. It made me stop and think.
I think I have gained a view of what love is. Before, I had a good definition, but I think I am now beginning to understand it more what it looks like... And how un-loving I can be sometimes.
Love is taking initiative- Being aware of the needs of the people around you. Being responsible enough to do something about it.Having the courage to upset the apple cart and do something out of the norm in order to help and bring about a change.
Love is persistent- Love takes initiative consistently. It is proactive. It is desiring the best for someone and doing everything you can to obtain that, even when it isn't well received or appreciated. It is continually pouring into people who may never be able to do the same to you.
Love is being willing to do hard thing-Sometimes love doesn't feel good. Sometimes love means not letting a kid get away with being naughty, and helping them learn the difference between right and wrong. Sometimes just giving a hug and moving on isn't helpful or loving. You have to deal with the problem, even if it means spending 45 minutes getting a kid to spend 3 minutes in time out.
'God is love' (1John 4:8)
He took initiative-He knew our need, and did something about it. Even though it was totally crazy and wouldn't make sense to anyone.
He was persistent- He is persistent in drawing our hearts towards himself, in convicting us and molding us into the image of His Son, even when we don't enjoy or appreciate it .
He was willing to do hard things- The cross didn't feel good, but it is what we needed. How we can rejoice in the fact that he didn't give us a hug and leave us in our sin, headed for Hell. He poured himself out so that we could have life.
Her words ring in my head.
"All they need is love. You can give them that."
Can I though? Can I give them that kind of love?
I realize that this something that God must do. Something that I need him to grow in me. Because truly, all we need is Jesus.
'Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling.'
So what am I going to talk about?
Well, all of the above and none of the above. :)
I am going to talk about love.
I know, it sounds really cliche. And maybe it will be. But this is what I've been thinking about.
"The children here, all they need is love. You can give them that."
We were sitting in a bus, waiting to get started. The nurse and I started talking about the kids at SCH and the different volunteers that come through when she made that comment. It made me stop and think.
I think I have gained a view of what love is. Before, I had a good definition, but I think I am now beginning to understand it more what it looks like... And how un-loving I can be sometimes.
Love is taking initiative- Being aware of the needs of the people around you. Being responsible enough to do something about it.Having the courage to upset the apple cart and do something out of the norm in order to help and bring about a change.
Love is persistent- Love takes initiative consistently. It is proactive. It is desiring the best for someone and doing everything you can to obtain that, even when it isn't well received or appreciated. It is continually pouring into people who may never be able to do the same to you.
Love is being willing to do hard thing-Sometimes love doesn't feel good. Sometimes love means not letting a kid get away with being naughty, and helping them learn the difference between right and wrong. Sometimes just giving a hug and moving on isn't helpful or loving. You have to deal with the problem, even if it means spending 45 minutes getting a kid to spend 3 minutes in time out.
'God is love' (1John 4:8)
He took initiative-He knew our need, and did something about it. Even though it was totally crazy and wouldn't make sense to anyone.
He was persistent- He is persistent in drawing our hearts towards himself, in convicting us and molding us into the image of His Son, even when we don't enjoy or appreciate it .
He was willing to do hard things- The cross didn't feel good, but it is what we needed. How we can rejoice in the fact that he didn't give us a hug and leave us in our sin, headed for Hell. He poured himself out so that we could have life.
Her words ring in my head.
"All they need is love. You can give them that."
Can I though? Can I give them that kind of love?
I realize that this something that God must do. Something that I need him to grow in me. Because truly, all we need is Jesus.
'Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling.'
Wow, that is really good. That kind of love isn't cliche... it's heavenly. I love the picture of God's love, even when it doesn't make sense on earth. Thank you for this beautiful reminder to pray that God would increase His love in each of His children! It certainly isn't something we have on our own. :)
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