For Mother's Day 2011, I had shared about two Ugly Words - widow and orphan. It was a hard time and I was just keeping it real. This year some things are the same and a few have changed. And I'm still gonna share what's on my heart.
It's never my intention to make you feel uncomfortable. Nevertheless, some things in life are hard, sad and wrong. They are the things we'd all like to ignore. Sometimes, the ugliness of it all makes us want to turn our head and close our eyes. And friend, I'm sorry, but sometimes we need to face it and make a difference.
Not quite the Mother's Day post you expected? Sorry about that. Please keep reading and you'll see where I'm going with this.
So, let's go back to those two ugly words from 2011......
Widow ~
Last year I was still in shock after my dad died. It broke my heart to think of my mom as a "widow". This year I don't really think about my mom being a widow. She's my wonderful mom. She's kind and giving. She loves to help and encourage. Yes, she misses my dad terribly, but she's a strong woman of faith. She knows dad is healthy and happy. She knows she'll see him again one day.
Orphan~
Last year it made me so very sad to think of Maribel being in an orphanage and facing transfer to an institution. This year sweet Miss Maribel is home with her biological mom. So for her, the ugly word "orphan" no longer applies. I imagine her getting kisses, cuddles and hugs. I like to think she has sweet dreams each night after hearing a bed time story. I pray she is happy, healthy and adjusting quickly to her new home.
Thankfully this year the word widow doesn't have such a sting to it.
But orphan? It will always be an ugly word.
* 1 ugly word
* 147 million orphans in the world
* ???? tears of loneliness
* ????? deaths from neglect
Hard numbers to consider? Yea, I know.
And we have a choice: close our eyes? or make a difference?
I vote for make a difference.
How?
Well, there are quite a number of ways.
But, today, I'm gonna suggest that we each help by donating to an orphan's adoption grant.
Because tomorrow is Mother's Day and every child deserves to have a mommy.
Would you do me a favor? Please consider giving something to one of the families at Reece's Rainbow.
I've linked up to a few of my favorite adoption blogs. All you need to do is click on the child's name and it will bring you to that little one's forever family. Each blog has a donation button of some sort to make it easy to donate. Some families are having virtual fundraisers and giveaways. Oh these parents are so creative in the ways they come up with to raise the funds to bring their sweet son or daughter home.
Evie ~ Ashley & Seth had committed to bring home Maribel and make her part of their sweet family. They than decided to adopt a second little girl named Evie. Even though Maribel has been taken back by her biological mommy they still plan on bringing home Evie and one other sweet one.
Vitaliy ~ I fell in love with this little guy during Reece's Rainbow's annual Christmas tree fundraiser. Isn't he just the sweetest little man you've ever seen? Aaron & Jenny are very busy filling out their paperwork, praying and raising the money to bring this little guy home ASAP.
Lyla ~ What a story this little one has. She's had some heart problems which could have prevented her from being adopted. There was a wonderful family that was going to adopt her, but then found out they couldn't. God quickly found another family, Dave & Summer, who have committed to bring her home and be her forever family. What a precious family and an amazing story they've shared on their blog of finding this sweet little one.
Ian ~ This little dude lives in the Bad Place. Really. It's BAD. Please read Jennifer & Jon's story. I can't begin to explain the conditions their son is in. They are courageous in their fight for change and to bring him home.
Kory ~ After bringing home two little guys in 2011, Lindy & Guy are going back to bring this sweetheart home, too. They are just $3000 short and are planning a fundraiser via their blog in the near future.
Evie, Vitaliy, Lyla, Ian and Kory. This Mother's Day they are called orphans. By next year, on Mother's Day, they will give their mommy flowers. They will get hugs and kisses. And that's just the way it should be.
"External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world." James 1:27 (Amplified)
