January 2, 2018
Yesterday I received 3 unexpected messages from different parts of the world. They encouraged me and I felt they were messages from the Lord. I hope something here encourages you! Lots to say, so I divided the messages into 3 posts: Jan 1, 2, and 3rd!
Message 1 : “Look to Me only for your value, your worth!”
Message 2: “Many will never understand what you do and why, but I (God) have your back. Through My hand, the work of rescuing children will be done.”
The second message arrived in a Facebook post from a new friend. I’ve only met the amazing Lora Williams once, but it was an honor. Lora grew up in the inner city in a tough life, but God is using her story to change the lives of others, who are broken in spirit. She is a nurse and a bright light for Christ in a time filled with anxiety and hopelessness. Instead of saying more, let me quote her and you will get a glimpse of her heart.
Tonight …. I had the honor and privilege to sit among the most precious treasure on Earth, people who can be overlooked & tossed aside as worthless. In reality they are the “GREATS.” Oh, I can’t forget I was once classified as the worthless nobody who would never… hahaha too bad my God didn’t ask my past to establish who I AM. Ultimately I AM HIS!
Just from that passage, you can see Lora’s deep desire to bring worth to the “worthless,” and hope to the forgotten. Yesterday, she posted another insightful message on Facebook and while not sent directly to me, I took it as a second message from God.
You have to remember that not everyone will comprehend the vision that God has given you. It’s not about other people seeing it. It’s about you seeing it and walking it out without hesitation or doubt, understanding that God has your back no matter what. Many will never understand why you do what you do & how you do you! But you have to keep doing what only you can do best YOU. NO ONE CAN EVER BE YOU! NO ONE CAN EVER COMPARE! YOU ARE RARE , & ORIGINAL. Here’s to MORE in 2018
Thank you, Lora! You remind me to keep pressing on anyway, even when people don’t understand this road I’m walking.
You’re so right! Most will never get it, and we frustrate ourselves by trying to help them understand. I tell my stories, show photos and even ask for donations (not sacrificial giving, but something small out of their full basket). Some listen attentively and express amazement saying, “What you do in Africa is wonderful!” Then, they turn back to their lives, unchanged. In those moments my heart cries out, “God, send someone to care about the things that break Your heart. Send someone whose heart will break, too. Send someone with the financial resources or the talents needed so that much more can be done for your church and your children in East Africa!”
In those low times, I’m reminded of words from Isaiah 30:21. God asks me to do only my part leaving the rest (the outcome) in His hands.
21 “and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”
Few of my closest friends and family members support the vision I have for orphans. Most do not and they don’t understand what I do or why. When I think about that, and feel great discouragement, I hear God saying, This is the way. Walk in it. I feel pressured to cheer for their cruise, their trips to Europe or Hawaii or a newly remodeled kitchen, while I can only remember that they saw no value in our work of rescuing children in Africa. So I distance myself; they don’t understand this calling. As I feel low, God pulls me close, and whispers to my heart, This is the way. Walk in it.
My heart, thoughts and dreams are always with the orphans in East Africa. To know that is to understand me. I am always thinking of how we can share their stories better, and help people here to see the desperate and legitimate needs of our children. I’m “on” this job 24-7 in terms of my brain and heart engagement, because THIS IS THE WAY, and I’M WALKING IN IT!
Thank you, Lora Williams, for your faithfulness to God and for speaking openly from your heart, reminding us that, “Many (maybe most) will never understand what we do and why, but God will have our backs.”
This is the way; Walk in it!
