Heavy heart

My heart is so heavy for the Chapman family today as they bury their little girl. I cannot even imagine the pain they are feeling, and I truly pray there is no guilt or condemnation felt by the brother-but only love and peace. I know this will be a hard journey, but I know God is awesome and He will guide them. I don't even know them personally-but his music and what they have done in the adoption community inspires me. In fact, my blog is named after one of his songs "The Great Adventure"! I know that they have ministered to many, so I pray that comes back a hundredfold.

I have heard of many tragic and sudden deaths lately-some people I know and some I only know through names. My heart hurts for all of them because they are part of my "family". Even those who are not, my heart still is heavy for them-for all of those who have been affected or devastated by the latest natural disasters, for those who struggle day in and day out to survive, for those who are helpless, hopeless, and in need. My heart is just more heavy than ever and I don't know what to do. I want God to use me to help alleviate some of their load.

I want to do more. There are just so many people hurting and needing hope, and we know the one who can heal and bless! I wish the entire universe could KNOW that. I don't know how I would ever be able to reconcile all of the evil and pain in this world without knowing I serve a great God with a bigger plan than I could ever imagine...sometimes it is even hard to reconcile everything knowing that-but I know that without that hope and light I would not make it. I can understand why some people question God in the midst of all of this-but I don't believe it is Him that causes it. He has given us a choice, free will-and from the fall of man to now, we have not always made the right choices. But I choose to live for Him-I choose to follow Him to the best of my ability, to be faithful, and to seek those who need His love and grace. He has blessed me tremendously throughout my life-in big and small ways, and I am ever so THANKFUL. I just know that to whom much is given-much is expected, and I want to give back a hundredfold what I have been given.

On a larger scale, thinking about the Chapman's and my own life-one of my dreams is to one day be able to adopt. Yes, I would love to have my own biological kids, too-but I want to be able to help give an orphaned child (or many) a life and home that has also been extended to me. I want to help as many as God, my time and finances will allow. I pray that this will come true someday. There are just too many children out there who need love and a good home.

Anyway, these are the thoughts running through my head and heart today. I am grateful for the hope and grace that I have in God, even when I look around and cannot understand.

Lord, help me be the hands and feet to your children-young and old, and show my how I can serve you best.