Absent

How does someone love for the other side of the world? 

This is a question that people have asked me over the past few weeks, and one that I have asked myself a lot the past 2 days.  I am enjoying my time at home.  I love meeting with people and sharing my stories and watching them experience the love that I have felt of the past six months.  I love spending time getting things ready to make the presentations I will do memorable and heartfelt.  Through it all there is one question that I have a hard time answering.  How do I love from over here?

Of course, there is the financial love that people send that is a very important part of BG's ministry.  Without your gifts, our kids would not have food, water, caregivers, houses, nurses, and the list goes on and on.  Without your sacrifice, they would not be alive.  Your donations are providing them life.  But what if you want to do more than just write a check.  How do you show love then?

Yesterday I got an email from a volunteer at BG telling me that "my" little guy is back in the hospital with pneumonia...again.  It physically hurt to read the email.  I wanted to jump on a plane and so I could snuggle him in my arms.  I wanted to some how, some way give him love.  I wanted to hear his coos and look into his strong eyes that shine with his strong determination to fight what ever comes his way.  But I couldn't do any of those things.  All I could do was...

PRAY.

I prayed for his little body that has gone through so much.
I prayed for our loyal staff member who has been with him 24/7 for the last month. 
I prayed for the hospital staff.
I prayed for his healing.
I prayed.

Through my praying, I loved.  I shed tears as I pleaded with God to bring His healing power to the little guys body.  I wrestled with the "why again" feeling and kept praying.  Today as I served in the community, I prayed.  My mind was focused on his care and his little body.  While praying, I let go of control (because I can't control anything) and I surrendered.  While praying I humbled myself, knowing my abilities are not going to make this little guy better, but I do know the One who can.  While praying, I loved.

Friends, not everyone is called to get on a plane and fly to Africa.  (In fact there are some people from Africa who have been called to fly to America and spread God's news to the people here.)  There is , however, one thing that we are all called to do and that is love.  By loving, we are surrendering to God's will and accepting His outcome.  By loving we are letting go of us and grabbing onto God.

I can't fix this little guy, but I can love.  I may not be able to physically be by his side, but everywhere I go, I can pray. 

Where in your life is God calling you to love?
Where in your life is God calling you to give?
Where in your life is God calling you to pray?
Where is your life is God calling you to let go of the control and let Him lead?