There are some days that I really wonder if it is worth the time invested in these humble ramblings. And then you get what my wife calls “postcards” from God. Today was one of those days that I woke up and wondered if it was worth it. I had decided to take today off from blogging. Maybe several days.
Then I received a postcard from God. He sent it through a young lady named Hannah. She sent me an email in response to my post yesterday about My Christmas Gift List.
Mr. Burchett,
Mommy read your blog to us this morning. We have been sponsoring a 10 year old boy in Mozambique since August through World Vision. We are learning more and more every day about the ministry of World Vision. Mommy is reading to us stories out of the World Vision magazine. This morning as mommy was reading to us about the things we could be praying for, I got even more bothered about what people weren’t doing for all the millions and billions of needy and orphaned children around the world. The huge numbers really bothered me. I think when mommy was helping us to understand what it must be like to be an orphan is when I started thinking about what more we could do. Yes, pray, but what could we do otherwise. We had already been considering a World Vision gift–a goat, because Rebekah likes goats. But then we began to talk about making more people aware of these children and their needs. So, we are going to put together an information booth to educate and make the people of our church more aware. I wondered if you and Mrs Burchett would be willing to help us man the booth when the time comes. We want to design posters, show children that need sponsorship and ask for donations towards two or three specific World Vision gifts. What do you think? Would you help us?
Love,
Hannah
Wow. Even a “Bad Christian” wouldn’t think of turning that request down.
Dear Hannah,
Mr.Burchett will be honored to help you when his eyes have quit watering. Must be allergies. Or maybe it is being touched by the heart of a wonderful girl. Thanks for loving these children with the love of Jesus. If more people cared like you we could make a real difference.
Your humbled friend,
Mr.Burchett
Thanks Hannah. Thank you God for the reminder that you use our humble gifts that we offer to You. Would you pray about following Hannah’s lead and make more people aware of these children and their needs. Mark records this example of the heart of Jesus for children.
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them,
We have a chance to be His arms and His hands to children around America and the world. We have a chance to bless these children of God. Will we?
Joy
Definately something all Christians should really think about….thank you.
Larry Dill
Matthew 21:16 (New King James Version)
… and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?”
And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read,
‘ Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have perfected praise’?”[a]
Thank you Hannah and thank you Dave for opening your hearts to the Lord. Bob Pierce, the founder of World Vision wrote the following in the fly leaf of his Bible: "May my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God". It’s clear to me that this is exactly what’s going on here; the Spirit of God is breaking into your lives to care about what He cares about! How awesome is that!
James tells us in 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." Why? Because God cares so deeply about the poor and those robbed of justice. We have the incredible privilege to partner with Him in His passion and I believe that as we do that this Christmas, that the love of Christ will shine ever more brightly giving God all the glory!
In His grip,
Larry