Tuesday, September 14, 2010
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE BUSY ...
This is the latest comment that has gotten my feathers in a ruffle or maybe it is just a puzzle to my heart ... NOT SURE WHICH ONE YET ...
Yes, I have what some would call a big family, but I didn't CHOOSE to have big family so I could be busy ... God CHOOSE to create my family this way and I was obedient ... I did CHOOSE to be blessed daily by God's children ... I did CHOOSE to speak up for those who have no voice ... I did CHOOSE to take what scripture says as the TRUTH ... Now, I also accept that with doing all this CHOOSING that sometimes (most times) I am going to be a very busy person, but I didn't CHOOSE this for the business of it or the look of it or the glamour of it (that is a joke), but to be a daughter of the KING ...
If you see me frazzled, hair in a ponytail for the 100th day in a row, or a bit forgetful, please don't for ONE MINUTE think that I would change that or that somehow I deserve to be overwhelmed in the moment because I CHOOSE to have 6 kids ... A smile in passing would be nice though ...
FOR ALL THOSE AMAZING PEOPLE who love on my family, bring food, prayers, and sweet words of encouragement THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts ... You are being the HANDS AND FEET of Jesus to us ...
IF I COULD CHOOSE AGAIN I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING !!!
Yes, I have what some would call a big family, but I didn't CHOOSE to have big family so I could be busy ... God CHOOSE to create my family this way and I was obedient ... I did CHOOSE to be blessed daily by God's children ... I did CHOOSE to speak up for those who have no voice ... I did CHOOSE to take what scripture says as the TRUTH ... Now, I also accept that with doing all this CHOOSING that sometimes (most times) I am going to be a very busy person, but I didn't CHOOSE this for the business of it or the look of it or the glamour of it (that is a joke), but to be a daughter of the KING ...
If you see me frazzled, hair in a ponytail for the 100th day in a row, or a bit forgetful, please don't for ONE MINUTE think that I would change that or that somehow I deserve to be overwhelmed in the moment because I CHOOSE to have 6 kids ... A smile in passing would be nice though ...
FOR ALL THOSE AMAZING PEOPLE who love on my family, bring food, prayers, and sweet words of encouragement THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts ... You are being the HANDS AND FEET of Jesus to us ...
IF I COULD CHOOSE AGAIN I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING !!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
16 kind words.:
Gwen, I've heard people make such ugly comments about people with large, adoptive families. Like you mention here. Comments about what they should just "expect" now that they have a large family (i.e. what they should happily take care of on their own and not ask for help with). Or they seem to take delight when they see a large adoptive family struggle in some way, 'cause then they can say, "I told you so," and nod in disapproval.
I don't have a LARGE family myself (yet), but it ruffles my feathers just the same when I hear and see things like this. Most of us are simply not bold and courageous enough in our faith to step out and adopt many children ourselves. And when someone IS willing to be obedient, we shake our heads at them in disbelief and dismiss them as "crazy," instead of doing what we can to help them. If we all care so much about orphans like we say we do, we should also be caring for those who are stepping up to do the HARD WORK that we're not willing to risk doing ourselves. We should be shouldering the load with them. Our care and compassion for a child of God doesn't end when they are adopted into a family and no longer an orphan.
I've learned that when people tear apart another person's decision, (whatever it may be... to adopt many children, to go be a missionary, etc.) it is usually an attempt to justify (to themselves) having not made that same decision for themselves (and I'm speaking from experience here. Done it myself. Haven't we all?).
O.K. Off my soapbox. I'll be praying for God to put extra minutes (or hours) in your day. And for some Divine energy to be poured into you!
So wonderfully said!
Blessings.
I've received comments like this before... with my two orphan ministries, wife of youth pastor, teaching art lessons(to help support our ministries), and my favorite job of being stay at home mom to 2 very active boys and 2 two yr. old girls. I can't quit any of them... one is necessary and the others are acts of obedience.
Trust me... if I ever pass by, I will be giving you a huge cheesy grin from one daughter of the King to another.. oh and I definitely won't have make up on or my hair done : )
Oh Gwen - we have six and are starting he porcess of adopting again - because we know God is leading us to another child/children -and people do not GET being open to God's nudges to move on the behalf of the lost, least and forgotten. Sacrifice is something some do with GREAT JOY - and without seeing it as sacrifice -others that live a life based only on THEIR needs and wants - will never GET a life lead by the heart of Jesus - a heart like yours -you are a living -breathing -example of Jesus -that is very intimidating to people NOT ready to surrender their lives - all of their lives to Jesus - take heart:) - you have MORE people cheering you on and praying for you and your family daily - than you do negative people -I think pony tail t-shirt Mommas rock:) SO DO YOUR KIDS and HUBBY:):) So does Jesus:)
Go Momma - Go!
Do I need to beat someone up?? Because I will! I love you girl, every single thing about you! Keep on doing what you are doing- you live for an audience of ONE.
Oh, I LOVE what Emily (above my comment said) *Live for an audience of 1* That is what I need to learn to do. It still bothers me when we get LONG stares and rude comments, so I really need to learn to do just THAT... Live for an audience of 1. You are a beautiful and amazing mom....I am soooo anxious to meet you in a couple weeks!!! Hugs, Carla
Oh and the comment that bothers me the most is..... you have your hand full.... I was told to tell them Yes! Full of LOVE AND JOY!!!
Nicely put...love you guys!
I am a single(never been married) 39 year-old adoptive mom of two little ones, school teacher, and foster mother. I am often frazzled, tired, un-kept, and busy. But like you, I wouldn't change it for the world. I know I am doing what God called me to do and I am so incredibly blessed by all of the children God has placed in my life-be it temporary or permanent. People think I am crazy when they ask if I want to adopt again and I tell them I want to adopt a child with Downs Syndrome. I do not know the how or the when or the where, but I do know that if God calls me to do something He will provide everything I need to obey. I think your family is beautiful and am thankful for your heart for orphans.
right on, sister! love you!
I so appreciate your comments. Thank you for all you do to minister to orphans and so many others in the adoption world! I could copy and paste your words onto my blog! We have five now, two bio and three adopted, and it is SOOOO busy, but I wouldn't change a thing. God gave us this call and we gratefully accepted. Charmaine
When we hear negative comments about our families, the momma bear in us just ROARS doesn't it? Then our hearts break for the ones who just don't get it! Yes when we follow Christ we CHOOSE to die to ourselves each and everyday, and having lots of little blessings running around our homes is one way we do that. The people who judge us will be judged. He is our defender, He is the Judge, and we must weep for them, and pray that their eyes would be opened to the joy that only He can bring. As Emily so perfectly said we are living for an audience of ONE! :) Hang in there girl! The more you are attacked the more you can rest assured you are doing the Lord's work, and somebody doesn't like it. But HE loves you!
I so GET you!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
Gwen,
I only have 4 kids- which is still BIG by most people's standards- and I feel like this ALL THE TIME. My husband and I imagined a life with *maybe* two kids and never would have thought so much of ourselves, our patience, our income, or our parenting skills to have this big of a brood. It's a crazy train some days... but we're living a life obedient to the Lord we're in love with. And I want to please Him! I'd move to Africa for Him, I'd adopt more kids if He asked us to, and I'll certainly go without make-up and wear my hair in a pony tail every day if He asked me to (Oh wait! that's already most days!!! :-))
Keep going. Keep doing it all for Him,
Tisra
Any day of the year I would choose to be busy raising and caring for God's children! Love you girl! Thanks for encouraging us with the way you live your life! Julie J.
All I can say, is you are such a light to this dark world about what it means to live life for Jesus and not ourselves!!!! I admire you and am in awe of the amazing work you are doing for His Kingdom.
Keep your head up high sister!!!
Still thinking we need a trip down South!!!! Love u and can't wait to catch up!!!
LIsa
I'm so sorry for the mean things that people can say, intentional and unintentional. Satan must be making the rounds b/c I just commented on another post of an adoptive mega-family that is dealing with this very same thing on their blog. All I can say is I'm praying for you and your family, sending love for your children and your husband. Stay strong in the Lord and ask for His heart for others (I have to ask daily and sometimes hourly for this very reason sometimes). Forgiveness is something that is so rare in this world.