Last night, the girls and I went to dinner with the board of a private foundation that I am a trustee of. I have known these people for a long time - long before I knew Jesus, Doug or the girls. They all loved the girls, and the comment was made towards the end about how we had "saved these girls". We here this a lot - and it make us uncomfortable.
It makes us uncomfortable because it puts the focus on us - not giving the glory to God. It makes us uncomfortable because we did nothing except be obedient to God - something every single person has the capacity to do. It makes us uncomfortable because it many ways - it is true. The life they have now is infinitely better than what they could ever dream of in China - if only because they have the opportunity to know Jesus openly as their Lord and Savior - never mind all the material benefits.
But the real reason this makes us squirm is that the truth is that for all we have done for them & for God - we have been the ones who have been saved. We have been saved from a life of putting ourselves first.
We have been saved from a life that might otherwise miss the sunsets and small pleasures.
That might miss running on the beach and in the waves with abandon
That might now allow for chocolate beaters before breakfast.
These children have saved us from a life of boredom. They have saved us from ourselves. They have allowed us to see the face of Jesus every day - to peek behind the curtain of heaven and experience in some small way God's love for us and for them.
The true saving here is ours -
Very well said Karen!
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog and read this posting! I can so relate. I adopted a week old baby domestically whose birthmother is developementally disabled. She is a lovely person, but lacks the skills necessary to parent successfully. She recognized this fact and chose adoption. I often hear that I "saved" my son from a hard life. The truth is, like you, my son saved me from my middle aged self. Bringing such joy, laughter and love into our household. He brought a new awareness of what is important. Luke is a blessing every single day.
ReplyDelete