If you grew up as a little girl in the South you know what I am talking about when I say… “Easter Dress” or “Christmas Dress.” Maybe your family were devoted church-goers or maybe these two holidays were the only time your family attended church, either way chances are you (and your siblings) endured just a little extra spit and shine for these Sundays.
Then again maybe it’s just this little former Southern Baptist, GA (Girls in Action) card carrying Kid, who had her frilly dress, white gloves, pearls and Easter hat laid out for her every Easter Sunday, that has the “Easter Dress” mentality. Now before you walk away huffed because you think I’m attacking anyone for buying a new outfit, rest assured I adore a cute new ensemble as much as the next person. But listen for just a moment to a recent moment of conviction that I felt…
Recently one of the Grandmas purchased my girls some adorable little dresses and instantly I thought “Sweet, here is their… (You guessed it) Easter Dresses.” Later that week during a “Quiet Time” session in the house I sat down at the computer (a bit obsessed if I am honest) to begin completing the “Easter Ensemble.” Thoughts began to race through my mind… I needed the perfect Hair bows, cute shoes, and of course a cardigan as to be prepared for the ever-changing Kentucky weather. As the electronic “Shopping Cart” began to fill up my phone made that little high pitched “Tri-Tone” notifying me I had a text message.
I looked down to see the sweetest picture of a young girl who truly is changing the world. (http://www.feedingtheorphans.org/) This was the 3rd time God had thrown her in my face…
1st time – I hear of her story from a family member, my lame reaction, “Oh wow, that’s awesome."
2nd time – I hear her story from Nat and JT, my reaction, “Oh yes, I’ve heard about her… isn’t her story awesome.” I read her blog and although brought to tears I produce no reaction. (Ouch)
This time as I look down and see her face my heart is moved to click away from my shopping experience and checkout the latest on her blog. It is now that I read of her latest quest to help an orphanage secure their rent fees for the upcoming year and her challenge to readers to donate just $4 to de-worm children for an entire year or purchase a t-shirt to feed an orphan for an entire month!
SERIOUSLY?!?!? Forget the hair bows forget the shoes, forget the dainty little cardigans… FORGET THE ENTIRE EASTER FROCK… I delete the shopping cart...The Fox Family is going to Feed the Orphans with our Easter attire this year!
I can’t tell you how much Joy I received from clicking around on the "Feeding the Orphans" website and placing our “Feeding the Orphans” t-shirt order knowing that 100% of the profits go to feeding an orphan! SQUEAL... it was by far the most rewarding shopping experience EVER.
I’ll be completely honest and say that unlike many of you who read this blog I have not always had a heart for orphans, whether it was ignorance or even worse a hardened selfish soul, it just simply didn’t pierce my heart. Of course I let out the occasional “ohh… isn’t that sad” when I heard of their stories but it didn’t move me to action. So even as I write this I am so incredibly intimidated by the fact I am writing a post that will be read by many who are TRULY taking care of the “least of these” and may find frustration in the fact that all I did was buy a few t-shirts and think I saved the world.
Rest assured in the fact I know that my little purchase was tiny compared to the daily challenges many of you conquer to advance the Kingdom. But also know that people like you (for me Nat and JT) have provided a REAL example of life-changing love. You see, maybe the reason I had such non-chalant responses to stories of orphans and the impoverished for so many years is because it just wasn’t a REAL part of my life. That was of course until January 2010 when my phone once before made that “Tri-Tone” alarm and produced a picture of an espresso skinned little boy with huge sad eyes and a runny little nose named “Tedros”… that day the idea of an orphan became REAL and now after sharing in the life of “Tedi Henderson” for over a year, it has changed our way of thinking right down to our “Easter Dress.”
“We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes…” – David Platt, “Radical”
Happy Easter Ya'll... now go love some Orphans!
"There was a boy with skin as dark as the earth & a girl with eyes as blue as the deep & they loved each other so well that people could not tell them apart, for in their hearts, there was no difference between them." ~StoryPeople
Pictures of Tedi with Emily's oldest daughter Stella
Gotta LOVE the differences in girls and boys that is even seen in moments that stand still....
Love this, so encouraging.
ReplyDeleteThis story makes my heart sing. I am so proud of this Gal who wrote the blog and also proud of the family who brought Tedi into their home and into their hearts.
ReplyDeleteLaura Kirby