It's Not Enough

I spent my Saturday with some amazing people who love orphans and who love Visiting Orphans. Some are old friends, some are new friends, but all have a passion for the Lord and for the fatherless. We all want to see hope brought to the hopeless. To see healing brought to the brokenhearted. To see the invisible God become visible.

And as I sat there with tears in my eyes, just overwhelmed by the evil of this world, I was reminded once again that God catches our tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8). That verse first came to life as we faced infertility and then a miscarriage. The tears that come when someone has hurt us or when we realize that we've hurt another. The tears that come when we say good-bye to someone we love dearly either because of death or because God's calling them to another state or another country.

But as my tears fall, I have all the comforts of America. A comfy bed, a comfy house, plenty of food, plenty of clothes to keep me warm, clean water, a hot shower, and I am surrounded by sweet and precious friends and family. But what about those who don't have this...not just the bed and house and clean water. What about those who have no one? Who spend their nights on the street? Or those who have no one because they're not willing to share their story because it hurts to much and so they just keep quiet and perhaps without others knowing, they are slowly dying inside.

Our job is to make an invisible God visible. Our call is to be His hands and feet. Our call is to go to the fatherless and to those who need hope and love. They need to hear about a God who is with them in the good times and the bad.

Whatever you're doing...it's not enough. I'm not doing enough, you're not doing enough. We are only given one life. Let's make every day count. Today is the day. Do something kind for someone in need or someone who is hurting either on your street or across the world.

I say it often, but it's the truth. It's in the Bible. To whom much is given, much is required.

I Don't Want To!

It sounds like something my kids would say, but instead it's a conversation that I've been having with the Lord for the last couple of days. A little temper tantrum that I've been throwing for a couple of days. It doesn't change the Lord's mind. I'm still called to do what he's asked me to do and I'll do it, but I want to pout a little just like Jonah. The book of Jonah...talking about people who are different than us and reaching out to those very people. Loving those people that we don't like...maybe they've hurt us, maybe they're just different, but God still calls us to love them.

And in my flesh, I want to like everyone and I want everyone to like me, but let's face it, that's not real life. And so when Sonja posed the question in class about "do we have to like everyone?"...it was a good question and one that I've thought about for hours now. I don't have to like them. I just have to love them and show that love to them whether I like them or not. Easier to type than to actually do.

And so...I'm going to obey...no need to delay....I don't think the ship to Tarshish is leaving anytime soon and the thought of a terrible storm on a ship, then being thrown overboard, then being in the belly of a whale for several days...well, I just think obeying God the first time is easier.

What about you? Who's in your life that's difficult to love? Or who are you supposed to reach out to and show Christ's love because you may be just the person God is sending?

God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness (Jonah 4:2). You may be just the one to deliver that message to someone today. Don't delay!

Interrupted

I'll admit it. I don't like interruptions. I like a schedule and I think everyone should keep to a schedule, but that is not real life. So I should've known that when I started a Bible study called Jonah -- Navigating a Life Interrupted, that life wouldn't be smooth sailing and go on as scheduled. Sometimes God chooses to interrupt the regularly scheduled programming...Priscilla Shirer calls these divine interventions.

So, life was pretty normal last week. I had my list of errands to run on Friday and we had a full and fun Saturday planned for the kids. And then about 10:30 Friday morning the school called, Matthew's in the office with a stomachache, headache, sore throat and he just threw up. We think he has strep. Please come get him.

And so, we head to the doctor. He has a severe ear infection in his right ear. Severe people. They start questioning me, when did this start, how long has he been complaining about pain and on and on. He has no fever. He hasn't once said that he didn't feel well. Even in the office, he's saying, my ear does not hurt. So they didn't even test for strep because his throat wasn't that red and the treatment is the same.

So we head home with the antibiotic. We get one dose in him and he gets sick again all over the kitchen floor. (I know you're thrilled to be reading these details). Our family rarely gets sick so when we do, we're pathetic. I still keep thinking, this is all related to the ear infection, etc. By Friday night, he's feeling great. He's on the Wii Fit for an hour and off to bed. At about 2 in the morning, I realized that this wasn't all related to the ear infection, that he did have a stomach virus on top of his ear infection, because this virus decided to visit me!

I climbed out of bed and headed to the downstairs couch. I spent some time just sleeping on the bathroom floor because I knew what was coming and my body just hurt too much to move from the couch to the bathroom. I was irritated because our Saturday was ruined and I felt crummy. I wanted to die. I know that sounds extreme, but I really am a huge wimp when it comes to pain. I don't know how a stomach in pain can affect your whole body like it does, but my entire body just ached.

And that's when the interruption hit, God reminded me of Africa. He reminded me to be thankful that I had a bathroom and a warm blanket as I lay on the couch shivering. He reminded me that I had access to stomach medicine and ibuprofen and crackers and sprite to help ease all the effects of this. He reminded me that I had a loving husband who still took the kids on part of our fun day even though I stayed at home in the bed. He reminded me that there are women all over the world...widows or just lonely women...who don't have someone else to take care of their children when they're sick. They don't have access to medicine or comfort and I wonder why. Why am I so blessed? Why are they not? And how ungrateful that I am that I can't endure 24 hours of suffering when they're enduring suffering day after day after day. And God reminded me to be loving and compassionate and to do whatever I can to help these women and children who are so vulnerable. He reminded me that He loves them as much as He loves me. He sees them in their distress. He has not forgotten them. He will not forsake them. He loves them with an everlasting love. And if I can't do anything else, I can go whenever I have the opportunity and tell them this.

Too Much of a Good Thing

I'll admit it. We are Fox News Junkies although our lives have been so busy lately, that we rarely ever watch Fox News. I just might be going through withdrawal.

You know that maybe you watch too much political TV when your 10 year old puts a sign on his door which tells you to knock before entering, but then at the bottom of the paper it says,

I am Stephen Jordan and I approve this message!

It made me laugh and smile and miss Fox News all at the same time!

Raw

So, you may be thinking that I'm going to talk about raw foods...which wouldn't be that unusual considering that Derek went to see Dr. Josh Axe...we may be eating a lot of raw foods around here soon. I'll let you know how that works out for us...thinking it'll last a few weeks. :-)

But really, it's my emotions that are raw this week. My friend Sumer was home from Africa for a few days and well, you don't really know how much you miss someone until you spend a couple of days with them. And then when you have to say good-bye yet again, well it hurts and it hurts deep. But I'm so thankful for Dr. Seuss, because I keep telling myself "don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." I'm so thankful for the friends in my life...those here and those in Africa.

And then it seems that everywhere I turn, someone is struggling in their marriage or they're already separated or divorced and it hurts my heart...it hurts to the core. And as I listen to the stories, it's overwhelming. I don't understand. I feel hopeless. It makes me thankful for my marriage, but that doesn't help my friends whose lives are falling apart.

And then I hear the news about a precious one in Ethiopia that commits suicide or newborn babies that are cold and don't have enough food and I just don't think I can handle any more bad news.

I find this...sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine and injustice in the world, when He could do something about it...but I'm afraid He might ask me the same question. Anonymous

And then I start to wonder, how can the church help? Not just the local church, but the body of Christ...the church as a whole. What's my role in all of this? I don't know why He allows poverty, famine, injustice, heartache or broken marriages? But He is God and I am not and so I will pray to see what I can do since I'm part of the body of Christ. And I'll push through all of these raw emotions and I will stand firm on the verse that says, "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" and then I will work to only carry the burdens that He asks me to carry. The rest I will lay at His feet and trust Him to take care of them, because He is God and I am not.

Jordan Silliness

Well, it's been a long time. I've learned a lot in those 2 1/2 weeks that I've been absent from the blog world, but I'm not sure what the next blog post is supposed to be about just yet.

So for now, enjoy this silly picture of my kids.

The A-Team

After several trips, you just never know what kind of team you're going to get. Two team members had to cancel almost a week out from our departure date because of health reasons. And then we had two people join the trip less than a week out from departure. Those factors alone could've made for a disastrous trip. And Derek and I both knew it. One of the team members we added, we didn't even know at all. There was risk involved, but we prayed and hoped we made the right decision. And then we told everyone to be flexible. Derek and I planned to room together, but we had a plan in place in case any of the men or women proved to be troublesome...we would split up and room girls and guys and play peacemaker if necessary.

But we were pleasantly surprised. We hoped for the best, but had planned for the worst. God blessed us with an incredible team of people. I fell in love with everyone of them...some I knew well, some I didn't know at all.

We are the A-Team (August team)

Joel -- oh my goodness, Joel had me laughing before we got on the first plane from Nashville. And Joel and I both have an aversion to mornings...so when my dad and Derek (both morning people) were chatting, chatting, chatting on the way to the airport way too early in the morning, I think Joel and I both wanted to jump out of the van. When you're on a mission trip, you quickly learn who's the night owl and who's the early and happy riser. Joel and I are not the happy risers! Seriously though, Joel did an awesome job of leading worship for us during devotion time and he made us laugh all throughout the day and at night...sometimes until 3 in the morning.

Shan -- Wow. I didn't know Shan well before I traveled and let me just tell you, he is unwavering which is something to be admired. He was steady the entire week. Solid. Unshakeable. I enjoyed getting to know him and I appreciate his pharmaceutical knowledge and that he kept us all as healthy as possible. And he was a life saver with the cough drops on the last day because I had an extremely sore throat. I hope you're coming with Jonathan and me in March...you would be an asset to any team.

Dave -- he was one of our last minute additions. I didn't know him well, but I did know that he had a solid family. Here's the thing about Dave...he has a joke for everything. He will not disappoint as he can turn any conversation towards a joke. But on the other hand, he can offer some of the best advice on parenting that you could ever ask for. And the guy is incredibly smart. Those two things....good parenting and intelligence definitely qualify you to write a parenting book...and I would be the first one to buy a copy.

Travis -- I didn't really know Travis either. I love his mom, but didn't know much about him. I thought he'd be a good bodyguard but then his dad informed me that he's just a big teddy bear. And honestly watching 10 sponsored girls love on him...his dad told the truth. And Travis has a great laugh and he can sport an Ethiopian hat and look cool doing it.

Carrie W. -- I love Carrie's heart. She loves with every ounce of her being. She has a heart for lepers like no one else. Being able to watch that firsthand was a privilege for me. She pushed herself through all kinds of health issues and pain because of her love for Ethiopia. Incredible.

Sterling -- he was the wild card. Nobody knew him and we were hoping he wasn't crazy. God blessed. The team wouldn't have been the same without Sterling. He added an incredible dynamic to the team...he is honest and transparent and is willing to ask the tough questions. He is funny and thoughtful and caring and his mission trip experiences have only just begun. And he is the mafia!

Carrie C. -- I love Carrie. She's funny and sweet and a good friend. We went to Costa Rica together and she's just tough. She's a vet, but I trust her medical knowledge above just about anyone's. I seriously would've let Shan and Carrie do surgery on me if I needed it while in Ethiopia. :-)

Kim --it's always fun to go with someone on a first time trip. It has the potential to get messy, especially a trip to Africa, but Kim did great. Kim gives everything 100% even when she doesn't feel well. She loved with complete abandon and is an awesome English teacher. I am so thankful my sweet friend went with us.

Matt -- Matt is the mafia as well (Matt's responsible for introducing the game to the team!). Sterling and Matt...guilty for sure! Matt is funny and Matt and Joel are funny together. Matt is an awesome artist when you're teaching English to six, seven and eight year olds. Above anything else I could say, he's a good friend. Just watching Corey and Matt together was great. A true friend sticks closer than a brother and I got to witness that first hand and it encouraged me to make sure that I'm a good friend to those God has placed in my path.

Derek -- well, I just love him and I love him more after watching him with our sponsored boy, Yasen. And watching him balance a team and an emotional wife at the same time and do it all well. Derek is steady eddie and he just like Shan is unwavering. Honestly, he's exactly what I need...both in the US and in Africa.

And that's our team and I love each one of them. God takes the work of the ministry and knits hearts together while believers are "doing the work". Each team member impacted me in a different way and I am incredibly blessed to have been a part of the A-Team.