163,000,000. Enough Said.

Oh February 14th.  It comes around every year, and you just cannot avoid. Everyone has their own opinion on it. You love it, hate it, or just wish everyone else would shut up about it. Personally, I have no problem with the day. There is nothing wrong with loving; in fact it is Biblical. Last year I took a different look a this Love Day, and my view of Valentine's Day had never been the same.  What a better day than today to spend praying and making the world aware of those 163 million children that will lay their head down tonight without a forever family?

Yes, you heard me right, 163,000,000. That number is just unacceptable, and it has gone up drastically in the past few years. Now you might be sitting there wondering, "Is it really my responsibility to care for the orphan?" Well glad you asked:) As Christians we are not called to care for the orphans; WE ARE COMMANDED! James 1:27 says, "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." Well I could end this right now because there is your answer.  So I cannot help but wonder: Where is the church? 

We do not care for the orphan because it is a "good" thing to do. We do not care for the orphan because they need us. We care for the orphan because HE FIRST LOVED US. We care for the orphan because we were all once fatherless and the Father adopted us as sons, solely by His grace (Ephesians 1:4-5). We care for the orphan not because we are the the rescuers, but we care for the orphan because we are the rescued! 

I find it quite amusing when fellow believers tell me how neat it is that the Lord has given me such a passion for orphans. I can't help but wonder, "are you just not listening or how are you missing it?" This isn't some super crazy passion that the Lord has given me. This is strictly the Gospel. It could not be any clearer. I refuse to water it down anymore and smile and just go, "yes, the Lord has given me a unique passion." Ignorance is just not an option anymore.  As you go on with your day of love, pray about the ways the Lord wants you to care for the orphan. Trust me...there is a way. We must raise our voice as a church and sing LOUD for these children who are long for a forever family.

Singing Super Loud!

Anna Lauren