Orphans are children who have been abandoned by their parents and for whatever reason are bereft of father or mother or both. There is a special place in the heart of God for the fatherless and the Bible speaks specifically about how we should respond to them. In nearly 50 different places, we see the heart of God concerning orphans. Why is it the natural thing for us humans to notice those with wealth and popularity, but ignore those who are poor and destitute? We have all seen photos of orphans who are starving, in pain, neglected, suffering from abuse and abandonment. This should haunt us. When you tuck your small children into bed at night, think of those orphans who lie alone in cold, filthy and hungry.
How is God considering these children? God is a defender of the orphans and calls for us to join his defense team. As followers of Jesus Christ we need to stoop and help by any means possible, meeting immediate and deeper long-term needs.
“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.” Deuteronomy 10:18
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” Psalm 68:5
When our boys were young, tucking them in at night was a routine with many rituals and twists. We often took turns reading them stories, hearing about their day, giving massages and praying with them. It was at that time that often their spirit would open and they would share struggles or insecurities. There was no doubt in their minds as they closed their eyes in sleep, that they were completely secure in their parents love.
One of the most hopeless aspects of child neglect is“indifference”. What is it called when a mother ignores her children and her four young boys are found sleeping along the side of the road? What is it called when a mother just wants her daughters and gives her boys away? What is it called when a 4 year old boy is dumped off at an orphanage and his mother simply waves good-bye? What is it called when a young boy who is having a birthday, dresses in his very best and waits and watches all weekend for his mother to stop by the orphanage to remember him?
Have you ever seen the pathetic vulnerability in the eyes of a young child who is desperate for the love of a mother and father? Have you felt that clasp of a dirty dusty hand in yours that doesn’t want to let go? Trust me…it breaks your heart to action.
We have a God who cares for the orphans and the widows – and He calls us to show our love for Him by caring for them too.
“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.” James 1:27
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6
Most of us are insulated from the horrors of poverty and death…except when we watch a TV documentary exposing it somewhere else in the world. However painful it is, we must expose ourselves to these harsh realities to break open our hearts…and usher us more into the compassion of Christ. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have been adopted into the family of God and what our Heavenly Father does for us spiritually, He expects us to do physically. When we grasp that theology we will not be able to push it away.
In our visit to the Timothy House Orphanage in northern Mexico last week we observed faith expressing itself in love. It is here that orphan boys can live like a family and learn what children learn in a family. They learn about security, relationships, values, character and to know and love God. God has designed families so people can experience His extraordinary security and love. Orphans need people around them to model that love and care. We can’t reach all the orphans, but each of us can touch the life of one orphan.
Christians have a personal responsibility defend orphans, whether it’s adoption, foster parenting, contributing to the fund of a family trying to adopt, donating to an orphanage or getting involved with church sponsorship of children.
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
Your paragraph about the little boy dressed in his best and waiting……so painful. I thank you for this post! So thankful for our God who champions the least of these, and it is a true call to action! I love to see people’s faith lived out. You and Ron are to be emulated. Truly.
How touching!
I have been following the amazing work that Bob and Joy are doing and Bob referenced your blog.
We still remember the very nice overnight at your home some 12-15 years ago, when a group of us were visiting Roger and June Schultz.
God bless you as you serve Him, by following the leading of the Spirit and make a difference by acting on your God-given compassion – Jude 22
Hello Randy,
How nice to hear from you! Of course I remember spending time with your family. Where have the years gone? We truly left part of us in Mexico and look forward to our return trip, hopefully later this year.
Give my love to Sue and may God bless you both as you serve a Mighty God!