Since starting this journey toward Africa (eventually we’ll be able to say ‘in Africa’!!) I have heard several times, “Well, you can’t save them all.”
Oh goodness. Don’t get me started. But you already have.
Of all the reasons various people may think we shouldn’t go, please, please don’t use this one.
When did just one become so insignificant to us? I know that we can’t save them all. (In fact, I know that we can’t save any children at all – we’ll leave that one to the Big Guy.) I am aware of the vastness of the problem, and it’s one of the very reasons that we are going.
When we hear that nearly 30,000 children will die from preventable causes before we lay our heads on our pillows tonight, it seems like too much. If you live in a large town – really anything short of a city – it is like waking up tomorrow morning to find that all of the children in your town are dead. And that they all died of something that could have been prevented.
If that happened, we would expect it to be international news. For weeks. We would expect someone to look into the matter until it had been solved. Until we had answers. Until we knew it wouldn’t happen again.
But it will happen today. And it will happen again tomorrow. And NBC, CNN, and FOX will find better things to report on. Yet I keep hearing,
“You know, you can’t save them all.”
I sure am glad I’m on this side of the equation. Because if it were me, if I were living in a third world country and had no means to support my family, no clean water to give my children – If it were me, and I was sitting there rocking my Sylvia in my arms knowing that she was starving and there was nothing I could do about it, I would be on my knees begging that someone would think it was worth it to save
just one.
That someone could see the beauty and worth, the woman that God created her to be, that I see when I look into her eyes. When God looks into her eyes.
In eyes like
this, and
this, and
these.
And I praise God that we serve a savior that would do anything for just one.
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home…..I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
-Jesus
I am so thankful that I serve a God who finds it all worth it for just one.
Couldn't have said it better! Thank you for your faithfulness!
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this! I think that when people say things like that, it is often times out of a sense of "guilt" that they are not doing anything. It breaks my heart...and also angers me.
ReplyDeleteI admire you and your family so much for listening to God's calling. You are dancing in His will for your family, and because of that, He will shower your family with rich blessings!
Oh, Maggie! So, so true. Thanks too for the reminder of how grateful we should be for all that we have. I pray that even as we stay here in the good ol' US of A, we will make a difference and impact people around us. I would love to be going with you, but for now God has us in Liberty. I pray that we are doing all we are supposed to do to reach as many as we can where we are. We will continue to pray for you all as you go forward in this journey to Africa. I am so excited for you and know that God is doing big things in and through you already. And the good thing is, He can save them all!
ReplyDeletei think thats just an excuse people use to make themselves feel better about doing NOTHING.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this Maggie. I needed this exact reminder this week. While I feel like I am getting nowhere with DSS, I can certainly make an impact on Jade. And right now, that's what matters.
ReplyDeleteI love reading thoughts from your heart, Maggie. So true. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAmen!!! Oh how my prayers are going out for your family!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've been talking to my mother. *frustrated sigh* This is so true. And I think of the young woman in Africa that adopted over a dozen little girls as a single woman! You are going to save many young lives through Gods grace. Amen! We are praying for your journey.
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