Love In a Little Package

1 John 3:16-18

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Our family is decently large according to most standards these days.  I have three siblings who are all married, three nieces and three nephews.  Josh has two brothers who are both married, five nephews and two nieces.  I love these people so much.  But today I am going to share about one of them.  Her name is Lily.  She is going to be 11 in a few weeks.  Lily is quiet and soft spoken.  She is very tenderhearted too.  Last summer she loved L and was very sad to see her leave.  She still periodically tells my sister that she misses L or brings up a memory about her.  She has also asked her mom and dad if they could host an orphan from Ukraine too (we are still working on that one).  

Yesterday, unbeknownst to me or my husband or even my sister (her mom), Lily took it upon herself to make a plan to earn some money to help buy V some new clothes this summer and help with our hosting costs.  While my sister was doing school work with the other kids, Lily made a sign and a collection box.  She decided she wanted to do yard work to earn money for V's new clothes, as most of the kids only come with an outfit or two.   

My sister posted it on Facebook and within an hour or so Lily had her first job and many others asking for her to do jobs for them as well.  

I was floored when I saw the post and when she brought by a check later in the evening.  Lily showed her love for a person she has never met. She saw a need and didn't ignore it.  She loved through deed and not word.  I found Christ's love in a little, petite 10 year old package last night.  V is so loved, loved by our Saviour, loved by myself and husband, loved by our little girls, and loved by a sweet 10 year old who knew how to help meet a basic need for another girl!

I was not the only one moved by Lily's love.  Our network of hosting families often shares when God provides for us in surprising ways. I posted about what Lily had done and another person was moved and while she wasn't able to accept Lily's help because of living in another state, she made a donation as well.  

Watching the body of Christ serve and love one another and care for the orphans of this world is so beautiful.  I am excited to watch how God provides for our family in the days and weeks to come.  How little my faith and trust is at times.  These moments are living proof of how He provides and weaves together His plan when we step out of His way and carry on in faith. 

Pray that V would see the love of her Saviour through our actions this summer.  Pray that Josh and I will show that "love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).  

There will be so many opportunities for Satan to step in if we do not guard our hearts.  Pray that we would seek God daily and strengthen our relationship with Him.  Hosting isn't for the faint of heart! 

Pray too that as the matching season ends that more families would step out in faith and choose to love in deed by opening their homes to an orphan this summer.  It is and was scary to enter into this adventure but it was and will be so rewarding.  www.nhfc.org  The matching window closes May 1st.