Giving

Today, I thank my friend, my "soul-mate" Cheri Bunch, from Kansas for this heart-felt post. Cheri and I met in NC at the She Speaks conference this summer. Her husband is a chiropractor, like mine, and even as we just met, we could practically finish each other's sentences.

Giving

“Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:13-14

She nestled into me as I hummed a lullaby softly in her ear. Her little body well fed and nurtured, she had never known another home. She was born in prison where her momma was presently staying. Little “Gloria” snuggled in peace.



I met her when I was on a mission trip to Kentucky. My son and I joined a group that was taking school supplies and the gospel message to the people in the mountains areas. On the way, we stopped at a children’s home where little Gloria was living.

Gloria is a very fortunate little one who has been rescued by loving Christian people who have a vision of rescuing children and restoring homes. Every two weeks, the children’s home staff loads up all of the babies into big vans full of car seats and take them to the prison two hours away where their mommas are locked up. They allow the mommas to love on their little ones for as long as the prison guards will allow, then the staff loads all those babies back into the vans and take them back to the nursery to be cared for by the staff until the mommas are released from their sentence.


It is a beautiful ministry to behold. I was most moved by this plan, not only to restore families but also to share the Gospel. Every momma is loved on by the staff and eventually witnessed to. The staff demonstrates the Gospel by loving the mommas and their babies first, which tends to soften the soil of their hearts, so that when the Word is heard, it is received by most.


Most of the staff volunteers are from the surrounding community. They are some of the most gentle and loving people I have ever met.

As I sat with little Gloria in my arms, I was overwhelmed with gratefulness that someone had the vision to, not only rescue this little lamb, but to reach out and take the Gospel into the home, while making an effort to bring restoration to the household. This is what giving is all about, serving, loving, giving, and being ministers of reconciliation to others in need.


Jesus loves little ones. He said to bring them to Him.


Little Gloria is no longer at the children’s home. She is back home with her momma. She will be in children’s church this Sunday. She is singing “Jesus Loves Me” and learning Bible verses. Her momma sings in the choir. They say their prayers at night, and they demonstrate His love to others during the day. That is the beauty of this mission. That is what giving is all about.


This children’s home will receive a gift from my family this Christmas. I wish that I lived closer. I would love to be on staff to rock babies and minister to their mommas. Since that is not an option, I will send financial support or fill some of their supplies on their list of needs. Then I will look for little “Gloria’s” in my area that I can snuggle and hum lullabies to.

“I’ll follow you into the homes of the broken. Follow You into the world. Meet the needs of the poor and needy God. Follow you into the world.”

Taken from a song by Leeland from cd - Love is on the Move.

Oh Lord, You know the needs of these little ones. You know the number of hairs on their heads. And You know our needs, too. Help us to sacrificially serve Your little ones as You lead.

Susan