Right after I make the coffee each morning, I journey to my study to pray and read the Word of God. I noticed this week how quickly tears were running down my face. I thought, “What’s with this?”
It doesn’t take much these days for tears to flood my eyes. Maybe, I realize more now than ever how much a sinner I am and how deep is the grace of God. Maybe it’s the realization that every day of life is more precious than the day before.
Maybe it’s the hole in my heart left by the loss of loved ones or the pain some of my friends are experiencing as a result of death of a spouse or a fractured family. Maybe it is our state and national missionaries experiencing change in their ministries.
Maybe it’s a pastor under fire for his convictions, or a church that is more loyal to antiquated methods than to a passion for reaching the lost, resulting in no new followers of Christ being discipled through this congregation.
It could be that the tears are the result of life’s frailty. I’m getting older and realize that the impact of lostness in the world, if left unchecked by gospel engagement, will result in unimaginable horrors. The Parisian terrorist attack is symptomatic of a much larger-scale assault on what is good and just. There is so much lostness!
In the United States we have a special holiday designated as a time to give thanks. We bask in innumerable blessings – including the great blessing of our families. This harvest time with its potpourri of pumpkin pie, cinnamon, burning leaves, and smoked turkey reminds us of how blessed we are. I am especially reminded of how important family is to believers who seek to transform lives and communities with the gospel.
Then, I picked up the publication by the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. Again, quick tears formed as I read on page 16 about the 7,000 children who entered the foster care system in the last year. Granted, some of these children are placed with relatives, but as the article stated, too many of these children were brought into state custody because of abuse and/or neglect. I cannot imagine the pain in the hearts of these children. And they need Christian foster homes.
Across the page was the introduction of several children who needed a family. One in particular was a 3-year-old who is initially shy but warms up quickly and enjoys telling stories and sings. Or how about siblings Jeremiah (12) and Judith (14) who need a foster family to open their hearts and home. There were other stories that strum your heartstrings.
How many Baptist families would be so willing as to engage in making a difference in the lives of children? Last year, a pastor challenged me to examine what is happening to the children in our state who need foster homes. “Why is it that the church doesn’t rise to meet this great need?” he asked. “Why is it we will turn this over to a government to place these hurting children in homes that are ‘relationally challenged’ or ‘morally impaired?’”
Piercing questions, indeed, and the possible solutions are in the pews and pulpits. What is the potential for Missouri Baptists to flood the MBCH with requests for training so that godly people become state-licensed foster parents?
This ministry may not be a right fit for your family. But it’s possible. Why not learn the facts by calling 800-264-6224. You could make a forever difference in the life of one child.
Religious Liberty
Unbelievably, there are those who do not think Christians should care for children in the custody of the state. There is a candidate for U.S. President who has made public announcements to end funding for faith-based social care. That is why every believer old enough to vote needs to appeal to our elected officials to reinforce our religious liberties.
You can do something proactive about protecting your religious liberty by going to the Pathway website and signing the petition asking Missouri legislators to give the people a voice about religious liberty. Go to www.crlpetition.com.