Often I choose not to do something because many others are. I want to make decisions based on God’s leading. However, I have come to realize I can use that as an excuse for not taking action.
One of the “things” I have not done simply because many others are . . . sponsor a child through Compassion International.
In July I attended the Declare Conference in Dallas, Texas. On the last evening of the conference, Shaun Groves told us about his first trip to El Salvador. He went with Compassion International and the trip changed his life. Shaun had me, and many others, in tears. He impressed me most because he did not just ask us to consider sponsoring a child. He said, “Do something.”
Several amazing organizations were present at Declare. Each organization does something to have an impact on the poverty of our world. Shaun not only mentioned the organization he represented. He highlighted each one. “Do something.”
As the evening drew to an end I looked at a friend and said, “I am tired of doing nothing.” I say I need to pray and wait on God to lead. Maybe God is waiting for me to just do something.
So I did something. I sponsored my first child through Compassion. Her name is Jacqueline. She lives in Mexico and will be nine years old in October. The moment I held a picture of her in my hands I felt God smiling over me. This was my something I needed to do.
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I shared the first part of this post on my blog after returning home from Declare. When Jennifer asked me to share my story of sponsoring a child through Compassion I knew I needed to share the same story. But I also felt compelled to share where my heart resides currently.
Jacqueline received her first letter from us and we received one from her. Her October birthday came and went. I failed to send her anything.
When I make a decision to do anything, especially if the decision is God led, I believe on being ALL IN. So where does my heart reside with Jacqueline?
The money sent every month to Jacqueline makes an impact on her life. At the same time, my lack of being ALL IN has me conversing with God on whether or not this was my something. And if this is not my something, I am asking Him to help me be ALL IN anyways. It’s not about me; it’s about Jacqueline and bringing glory to God by serving His children.
Can I share a missed dream with you?
I am sharing with the lovely Jennifer Jackson Linck today. You can read the rest of my story here.
Yay, Beth! There can never be enough sponsors for these precious kids. Thank you for raising awareness! My family sponsors some kids through Children's Hope Chest and it was one of the best decisions we ever made. My husband and daughter got to meet them last summer. I stayed home with my son, but definitely plan to follow their lead soon. I feel guilty a lot for not sending enough letters, pictures... to our kids. I completely understand you there, my friend. We do what we can and the monthly financial help is a huge step in the right direction!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, Candace. I would love to one day have the opportunity to meet Jacqueline. I love the stories from other sponsors who were able to meet the child they sponsor. God is so good! I am really glad we made this decision. After spending more time with my husband discussing Compassion, it's becoming more and more something we are doing together. Much love. xoxo
DeleteI love, love, love seeing your pretty face on the link up this morning. So grateful for your heart, especially the way you continuing learn more and seek God more. You're such an encouragement to me, sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristin. It was exciting to join you this morning. You are a blessing to me. Much love. xoxo
DeleteYou ARE doing something. We sponsor Marlon in Guatemala through another ministry. I do not write him regularly but always send a packed box for Christmas with a photo and a letter. We get one or two letters from him a year telling us how he is doing at House of Hope (a school) and a photo. I, like you, felt guilty about my lack of letter writing but I know that what we are doing is a good and Godly thing for this young man. Eternity will have to take care of the rest.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to read of how many others our sponsoring children. It makes my heart smile. And God is using these stories to encourage my own heart to know without a doubt that we made the right decision. Thank you for openly sharing, Susan. Blessings to you.
DeleteWe started sponsoring a little girl from Burkina Faso about a year ago. It has been a great teaching point for my kids and I have loved being a part of her life. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amy, for stopping by and for sharing. I do hope to get our adult children involved in sending love to Jacqueline and pray maybe they will be led to sponsor their own child. Blessings.
DeleteI love how you just jumped right in, holding His hand, following His lead, Beth. What a difference you're making ... here and there.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
Love you, sweet friend. Thank you for how you always encourage me. xoxo
DeleteSo glad you shared...and so glad you took the step and did something! You know how much I love sponsorship through Compassion. : ) Just booked a couple flights for my mom and I to go to Nicaragua in January to meet our kids.
ReplyDeleteJill, what you shared with me through our email exchange really proved to be beneficial in terms of getting my husband more on board so THANK YOU so much. I hope over time to get our children more involved in the sponsorship of Jacqueline too. How exciting to have flights booked to go meet the kids you sponsor. God bless you for your hearts to love on these children. Much love. xoxo
DeleteI am so excited you decided to sponsor Jacqueline!! I love Compassion and have been sponsoring children through them for over 25 years. My daughter went to Africa a few years ago to help with another organization there and one of the social workers told her she had been a Compassion kid. She said she wished her sponsor had written her more. (I can be a bit lacking at the letter writing sometimes too). But our letters really do make a difference to them. Even if it's 1 a year or 25 a year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your heart. Enjoy your new Compassion daughter! : )
Cathy, thank you so much for sharing. I am so enjoying the stories from everyone of the children they sponsor. My heart smiles big!! Thank you for your encouragement too. Blessings.
DeleteThank you for the link up, Beth. I adore Compassion. I love getting letters from our Elizebeth and also sending them. One day we will go to Africa to meet her. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT to anyone who is not familiar or who has been thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteKim, I have truly been blessed by hearing from everyone of the children they sponsor. Wow. Just awesome! Thank you so much for sharing. Much love. xoxo
DeleteI love this and I love you. So sweet about Jaqueline. Your writing and your heart are so full.
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet friend. Love you. xoxo
DeleteWonderful post about Compassion (the organization) and compassion that God placed in your heart to just do something. I am often the same way, waiting, wanting to be sure and sometimes the moment to help has passed. Ready to be brave and act on it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and for sharing, Mindy. Praying for bravery for us both. Blessings.
DeleteFirst of all, Beth, my heart kinda broke over your "missed dream." But you know, I truly believe that the children we are blessed with are the ones we're supposed to have. I have two wonderful sons, and a new daughter-in-law - I am so very grateful for them.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby and I sponsor a child, Eric, in Rwanda, through World Vision. Sometimes I feel as if we haven't been diligent enough in our communication with him. But, I know that God takes our sometimes "meager" offerings and multiplies them in ways that we may never know until heaven. Remember what He did with a couple of fish and some bread!! I'm sure that you are making an impact on Jaqueline, far more than you realize.
And, as you said, it's the act of obedience to do something for those less fortunate that's maybe the important part. I think of how Jesus said, "if you give a cup of water in my name"...I'm praying that somehow we continue to look for opportunities to spread His love to others.
GOD BLESS!
So true, Sharon. I know the two boys and wonderful daughter-in-law are just what He intended for me. You know I always love the comments you leave, right? I love that reminder of what He is capable of doing and often times it is indeed for more than we see. Joining you in that prayer, Sharon. So blessed by you ALWAYS. Much love. xoxo
DeleteI've avoided doing things, too - because everyone else is. I started sponsoring a little boy at the end of the school year last year - and I'm having trouble keeping up with the extras - and how they need to be a couple of months ahead. I'm like you - I want to be all-in - but it's taking me some time to get the hang of it! I'm also a big believer that we need to be reaching out to those in our neighborhoods and schools with equal passion and commitment - and all-in - because there are so many school kids who need to know the love of our amazing God! Thank you, Beth - for your honesty! Serving - and learning to serve is never perfect - I think the key is to not give up! Shalom!
ReplyDeleteI thought of your comment on Sunday when our church announced a giving tree they would have for the holidays which specifically focused on outreach for those in need in our community. I very much agree we need to reach those with equal passion and commitment. Thanks for sharing, friend. xoxo
DeleteThank you, Beth, for your honesty. We all have these emotional ups and downs and by allowing me to see inside of this one, you are so real to me even though we have never physically met. I just love you, Beth.
ReplyDeleteYour sister in Christ, ~ linda
I am grateful for you, Linda. Your comments are always a blessing to me. Happy Thanksgiving. Much love. xoxo
DeleteI am praying the Lord will give me a job soon so that I might be a blessing to a child who needs a sponsor.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers, Barbie. Any word from the last interview you went on?
DeleteThank you for calling others to support a child through Compassion. I spent many years not responding to the call and, like you, finally decided it was time to act. I'm so thankful to have known our Sam for about 10 years now. God bless you as you minister to Jacqueline and her family!
ReplyDeleteWhat encouragement it has been to read the sponsorship stories from so many others. Thank you for sharing. God bless you and your family. Blessings.
DeleteI love your heart! I love your honesty and your willingness to be so transparent for us. God continues to use you to challenge me to get to the bottom of what's in my heart. Much love to you! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love YOU, Holly. I am continually blessed by our friendship. Wishing you a most wonderful Thanksgiving. Much love. xoxo
DeleteOne of the more heartwarming things I have read in quite some time...thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteWhat sweet and beautiful little faces, Beth. And each a reflection of Him. Whatever you do to the least of these...He is well please with your every effort, Beth. Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and for sharing, Sheila. Wishing you a most wonderful Thanksgiving. Blessings.
DeleteBeth, just wanted to stop by and wish you and yours a most wonderful Thanksgiving! I know that it will be special this year. And, as we are approaching the end of the year, I'm sure you're reflecting, just as I am, on the many things I have learned about joy. In all things, in every season, I am grateful for my Savior. This is joy - Jesus, Only You!
ReplyDeleteGOD BLESS!
Beth,
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving....and I love how you did the "something" that God gave you the opportunity to do...I can relate to that struggle you describe in your post...and I know you can't go wrong when you give in love to help another person...such a seeking of God in each thing and I appreciate your heart so much :)
Hi Beth, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. When we have a dream that is God-led, we should absolutely be All In. He will help us to see it through. After all, He put it in our heart.
ReplyDelete