Wednesday, July 29, 2009

"The Orphan" Movie - how a real orphan ruined my life

The movie "The Orphan" asserts that you can't love someone else's child as much as your own. In fact, by the very nature of the movie, it places fear in people's hearts about orphans. . .the kind of fear that the enemy has been cultivating for years. I assert that in the Christian world this fear is just as real. Now, most Christians won't tell you that they are afraid the orphan will come kill them in the middle of the night . . .but they fear the pain that comes with loving hurting people. The pain that comes with picking up one orphan as your own and leaving a whole nation behind. The fear of being wrecked.

Well. . .an orphan did ruin my life. I am gloriously ruined because a particular little orphan boy and the world he introduced me to. It's too big, it's too much to write in a simple blog. Can I submit my entire blog? In so many ways, this little face began something in me that is too high for me to comprehend.

This was our referral picture of our sweet boy. We walked a tough road to bring him home that was emotionally exhausting. . .yet after a long journey, we stepped off the plane onto African soil. My husband would say that my next statement is cheesy and over-dramatic, but it's how I feel. . .in many ways, when I stepped onto African soil for the first time, My life began. A new chapter was begun that would blow my mind in more ways than I can imagine or possibly explain.

This sweet face. . .
.opened me up to a whole hurting world. He awoke in me a long dormant passion that GOD had placed in me as a child.
Walking along those dirt roads, with a hundred little children clamoring at my side and my husband walking in front of me carrying our African child. . . .Life could not have felt more perfect.

And that was 2 years ago almost. . .I have been back twice to the beautiful continent I fell in love. . .I plan on spending a bit more time there in the future =) I want to spend my time. . spend myself on behalf of the orphan, the oppressed and the hungry. I cannot express how my life has changed since God brought one. . once orphan now my son. . child into my life. My relationship with Jesus has been more alive, I have developed amazing relationships with others who are passionate about orphans and
I have found in many ways, my life's call.
To even imagine my life and family without this one particular boy would be crushing. To imagine my life without my newfound passion for all of the orphans left behind would be pointless. . .I can't do either. My life has been changed and I am better for it. I feel more alive than ever before and can't wait to see how else God will choose to move me on behalf of the poor throughout the world. I want to continue to be ruined by orphans. . .gloriously ruined for this world.

12 comments:

Sandra said...

Beautiful post!

Terri said...

Can't imagine our family without that little guy. His smile is contagioius and his teasing ways just fit our family like a glove !!!!!

Kim said...

I've been gloriously ruined, too! Praise God.

Amber S. said...

I cannot imagine my life with that sweet boy. I am really so honored to share this journey with you friend.

Amber S. said...

Oops...meant to say without that sweet boy.

Cindy said...

Not cheesy and overdramatic!! SO true. I haven't had the pleasure of adopting yet, but in a similar way, I feel like life began when I finally found life outside of me :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful post. Love your twist on this nasty movie.

Kathy said...

Beautifully said! I hope many will read this and see the truth!

Anonymous said...

Relatively new blog reader. Your youngest son is exceptionally handsome. Your passion is extremely contagious. Thank you for passing it on. Liz

Grandma Wanda said...

I love reading your blog!

Sandra said...

I put a link on my blog to this. It is so good!

Julie Redman said...

so true and one of the girls who has been gloriously ruined with you! i totally relate to this post with you!