My church (whom I love!) didn't even mention it this morning (although I did still wear one of my 147 shirts!). Most of me is devastated. This is the 3rd year running that not a mention of Orphan Sunday has been mentioned. My church stands for a lot of biblical things...but one thing that they tend to really look past is caring for the orphans...not sure what's going on with that. I should talk to one of the pastors about it...but I haven't yet...because honestly, I don't have the time or energy to head up that kind of a ministry at our church, and who I am to ask for one, if I'm not willing to be the one who runs it?!
Part of me was relieved. I didn't want them to call us up to the front to be put on display. "Look at what these awesome people have done! They've done their 'part' for the orphan crisis! Here are all the adoptive families who are in our church...yup, you already know it because they look different than everyone, but let's just call them out anyway!" I didn't want anyone looking at me...because I'm not awesome. If they only saw how wretched my heart is. If they only knew how I struggle.
I definitely didn't want my sons singled out or defined by their past. They don't even think of themselves as ever being orphans...because orphans are "kids who don't have parents"...they've always had parents. I don't think that they can even comprehend what they've been through or how horrific it really was. I'm thankful for that. I don't ever want them defined as orphans...or redeemed orphans, or anything dealing with the word! That's not who they are.
While we were going through our adoption process if someone had asked me what I thought God intended when He said to care for the orphans, I would have said...everyone should either be adopting or supporting those who adopt. Hands down...I really believed that.
I don't anymore. Adoption is not for everyone...but caring for the orphans is. It's not an option...it's a command! (I know, I'm not nearly perfect or follow all of God's commands, so please know that I'm not judging here!) You CAN care for the orphan even if you're not called to adopt or foster. You can volunteer your time in an orphanage, you can do respite for foster families, you can help financially support adopting families, you can purchase items (that you would already purchase) from organizations that care for orphans, you can bring meals, do laundry, babysit, pray, etc. for adoptive families. You can start your OWN organization. The options are really endless. What are your passions?
Orphan Sunday. I pray that lots of people's hearts are turned toward adoption and foster care today. I pray that God moves mightily in the families that He intends to bring His children home. It's just such a complicated topic. I don't think that one day can sum it up. I've been deeply involved in the orphan care community for over 3 years now and I haven't come close to wrapping my brain around it all. It's difficult, but it's also so fulfilling. So full of hope, and peace, and love...all things that bring me closer to the heart of God...which is right where I need to be...
if you have any questions about the orphan crisis in the world, please ask. You can comment here or email me personally @ ashleyredburn@hotmail.com. I would love to chat with you, dream with you, pray with you. I would love to point you in the direction of some awesome organizations who are doing so much more than I could ever dream of doing on my own. please...let's chat!
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