Before I let you know what is on my mind, and in case you are new to my blog, it is just that - my blog. I am a year round volunteer for Operation Christmas Child, a division of Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse, and I lead an incredible group of other volunteers here in Northern Kentucky. Most of my writing is related to OCC as it is what I enjoy most! Some of what I feel God saying to me is not. I hope you enjoy funny, touching, incredible moments that God gives me each day! This blog is not to highlight any one person other than my Savior, Jesus Christ. It is not my purpose to offend anyone, but just let you know how God is using this very plain, very ordinary, sin filled child of His and hope you hear something from Him yourself as you read.
So ... with that introduction, here's what He has placed on my heart today ...
God has given me the most incredible journey so far in 2012. I was fortunate to be asked to go on a distribution trip with OCC and spent 5 days in Uganda, Africa. Those 5 days changed my life. In the days ahead more and more stories of God's abundance, God's provision, His sovereignty and His grace will be revealed.
Today my mind is on the little girl I left behind in Uganda ... Hilda.
I met Hilda on our third shoebox distribution - this one to an orphanage and school. We had an instant bond! We were able to play with the things in her shoebox and laugh. I got to watch her dance and was able to walk her to school after the distribution. I think saying good-bye in the rain and leaving her was one of the toughest things I've had to do in a very, very long time.
BUT, here is what I know. God sent me to Africa with a purpose - His purpose; God placed THIS girl in my path; and God keeps His promises. I do not know what He has for my family and this precious child, but for now, she will be going to school, getting many letters from my family and hearing Bible stories and how much Jesus loves her. Hilda may not be my child from my body, but she is certainly my child from my heart - God's heart. Everything else is in His sovereign power.
It makes me think this morning about my own relationship with God - my Father. He chose me. Isn't that an incredible statement? To be "chosen" by God. God chose me! Why? Out of His love. Certainly not out of something I did, something I am, anything I accomplished. Simply out of love. A very close friend of mine recently did a little study on some scriptures that talk about this idea of being chosen by God. Here are a few of my favorites ...
"My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him and serve Him, to minister before Him." 2 Chronicles 29:11
"So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen." 2 Tim. 2:10
"You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and He has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be His own special treasure." Deut. 14:2
Think about your own adoption into God's family today. I know it's on my mind. We are born into our families not through our own choice - God chose that for us. But, He chose US to be in His family. How could you ever want for anything else ... His promises and His blessing, His birthright, His Son has already been given to you - His chosen child.
