unpacking CAFO 2016
I returned home tonight from the Christian Alliance for the Orphan Summit 2016 today, around 5:00pm. My head hurts with the weight of all I heard and experienced and learned, and yet, oddly, my heart is heavy with peace. And faith. Our God loves all of his children. Even me. Especially me. I came home ready for chaos and a household that reflected 5 children plus one Grace and one daddy that had lived without the mama for 4 days. Instead, I opened the door to Grace who was so, so happy to see me......and a very clean house. Grace and Claire cleaned yesterday for me, as a Mother's Day gift. I got all my peeps back home and it was too late to make a dinner plan so we ordered pizza.
Perhaps the expectation was that I would come home from this event with a fire in me for a ministry (but I have one), or a longing to adopt (but I have done that), or a call to the orphan (which I have already responded to), or a plan to advocate for Christian foster care (which I already do).......I'm guessing some of the 1740 attendees of this conference worldwide are processing these things tonight. For me, I had a pleasant surprise. God let me sit in workshops that talked about helping families, about nurturing caregivers, and caring for myself. God called me to a higher assignment of being kind to myself for a season......and that, my friends, is a gift.
I have lots of good things to think and write about that this conference brought to the surface. I will unpack them in time. For tonight, I want you all to know that our Heavenly Father gives good gifts and gives what we need. A time of rest and reflection and kindness and joy is my assignment for now. I know He is setting this up, so that I can be filled back up for the next and the next and the next things coming, and that's ok. When He calls me back out, I will be ready.
Perhaps the expectation was that I would come home from this event with a fire in me for a ministry (but I have one), or a longing to adopt (but I have done that), or a call to the orphan (which I have already responded to), or a plan to advocate for Christian foster care (which I already do).......I'm guessing some of the 1740 attendees of this conference worldwide are processing these things tonight. For me, I had a pleasant surprise. God let me sit in workshops that talked about helping families, about nurturing caregivers, and caring for myself. God called me to a higher assignment of being kind to myself for a season......and that, my friends, is a gift.
I have lots of good things to think and write about that this conference brought to the surface. I will unpack them in time. For tonight, I want you all to know that our Heavenly Father gives good gifts and gives what we need. A time of rest and reflection and kindness and joy is my assignment for now. I know He is setting this up, so that I can be filled back up for the next and the next and the next things coming, and that's ok. When He calls me back out, I will be ready.
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