As soon as I saw this "7", I knew it was perfect for what I wanted to share with you today. If you've been following along, you know that we are counting down to when we leave to bring our Eastern European angels officially into our family. Only. Seven. Days. Left.
Anyhow, on to the tale of the starfish (adapted to be told -- my way). The original story was about an old man walking on a beach covered in starfish, and he was tossing them back in one at a time. A little boy asked him why he was doing it, since he couldn't save them all. He answered that he could make a difference to this one. And that story is what launched this one...
Many, many years ago there was a vibrant, excited couple with a big vision for their future. This couple was young and in love. They had a passion for the world and dreams of setting it on fire as they impacted every corner God sent them to. One of their dreams was adoption. But that dream fell to the wayside as they meandered into adulthood and started a family. They kept thinking: someday. They would look at the world and see the great need, wondering how on earth they could meet it.
After all, they were only two people and the world held over 140 million orphans. How on earth could they even begin to touch a need that vast? It was disheartening. But as this family raised their children, the need to change that huge number failed to subside.
One morning they woke up, not knowing their lives were about to change forever, and heard God clearly speaking. Their agenda for the day was set aside and they followed God's leading. Had they known that simple change in plans would set the course of their entire lives in a new direction they might have given it some pause, or felt a wee bit nervous.
That was the day they met her.
She was an orphan from Ukraine, visiting the U.S. for the summer. She had eyes that sparkled with joy and swam with a secret longing to be loved. She had a smile that was slow and beautiful, and a gracefulness and tenderness about her that made her seem much older than she was. And in her eyes, Duane and Lisa saw the heart of God for orphans.
It was time for them to stop simply praying; it was time to ACT NOW. That sweet girl never became theirs, but she was how God gripped their hearts. There was no turning back. They had to go to her country and adopt at least one of its children. They may not be able to change the lives of 140 million, but they could love one at a time. And they could still pray for her, as she were theirs (and they still do, daily).
And so they are growing their family, again. This time with two sweet starfish ... two little angels from Eastern Europe. And they cannot do it alone.
When I mulled over what to share today, I thought about the number 7. It stands for completion, for perfection. It stands for the day when there will be no more death, no more tears ... no more orphans.
To help us on this journey, visit HERE. And take a peek out our two adorable "starfish".
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