The Reason I "SHOW HOPE"

Every so often Show Hope poses the question to its supporters, “Why are you a Show Hope sponsor?” and to be honest I never know how to respond.  The easy way out would be to say something about the help they provided towards Jolene’s adoption leading to our first involvement.  Or I could mention their generosity with adoption grants creating a drive to help them provide even more grants.  Or I could say our family values the lead the Chapman family has publicly provided in the field of orphan care and our desire to follow.  Or perhaps I should mention the fabulous place which is Maria’s Big House of Hope and our commitment to support both its residents and its staff.  Then there are also the ongoing opportunities Show Hope provides our family to be a little part of a big effort in the realm of orphan care.  But, honestly, try as I might none of these answers ever seem to really be the right one.  None of them come anywhere close to really explaining why I am a Show Hope sponsor. 
 

But maybe that’s because the term “sponsor” doesn’t seem to fit anymore.  Yes, technically that’s exactly what I am – a sponsor, but in my little corner of the world it just seems so much bigger than that these days.  Where the organization of Show Hope is involved I’d like to believe that I am more than simply the scribe of a monthly check.  I think I’d prefer a description more along the lines of advocate or volunteer.   A friend as well as a supporter.  Some days I'm probably a bit of a groupie. And most days I'm a walking billboard.  All because, you see, my affinity for Show Hope may have started with a commitment to monthly sponsorship nine years ago, but it has grown to be so very much more and that makes it very difficult to answer the “Why are you a Show Hope sponsor?” question.   No story ever seems the right one and no matter how much I’ve grappled for just the right way to explain things I’ve never been able to string together the right words to express the thoughts and ideas in my head.  But… after all these years, I think I have finally found the answer and I might even be able to explain it to you.  Maybe.

On the rare occasion, I get the opportunity to drive alone in my car.  This doesn’t happen often as I usually have at least one child with me, but every once in a while I get the chance to be alone for more than a few minutes, turn on the CD of my choice and actually enjoy listening to the words of the songs playing – not just the ones not drowned out by one or more little girls talking, singing, giggling, arguing, etc.   And the other day while driving solo across base to water my watermelons I had a very enlightening encounter with my CD player.

The CD playing was Hundred More Years by Francesca Battistelli and the song was one I’ve heard many times before - Motion of Mercy.  Well, as I sang along with the radio (yes, I admit I do this quite freely when alone), I was suddenly struck by thoughts of Show Hope.  I couldn’t believe how the lyrics of this song so easily answered that often pondered question of “Why are you a Show Hope sponsor?”  There it was, written out and put to music – the answer that has so long eluded my grasp had somehow made its way into Francesca Battistelli’s brain and she had so very generously recorded it as a song on a CD that I could listen to in my car.  This was AMAZING!  And this was the reason that I Show Hope.

I was poor I was weak

I was the definition of the spiritually

Bankrupt condition

So in need of help…

The idea of adoption was planted in my heart a very long time ago when as a child my parents considered adopting a child into our family of five.  When Dan and I were dating in college we freely discussed the idea of adopting and looking back it seems so strange that it was such a natural topic of conversation for two twenty-year-olds not married or even out of school yet.  The point being, God introduced the concept of orphan care to my soul long before I had any idea what to do with it, but on some level I think it was always holding me captive to its call until the day I could act.

I was unsatisfied

Hungry and thirsty
When you rushed to my side

So unworthy

Still you gave yourself away….

And then, in 2002, Dan and I decided to take a leap of faith and adopt.  We didn’t have to.  We didn’t “need” to.  God just told us to.  It was time.  The seeds He had sown in us years before were ready to grow and bloom and from the day we took our first adoption "step" we have never doubted His lead.  And this is where Show Hope comes in.  Their example of faithful response to God’s call to orphan care is nothing short of inspiring.  Watching this organization grow from its very first days has been such a model of mercy and compassion that I simply cannot deny its impact on my heart.   And the growth I’ve experienced as a result of the opportunities I’ve had to join them and help where I can goes beyond measure.

That's the motion of mercy
Changing the way and the why we are
That's the motion of mercy
Moving my heart

Some might say I’ve been bitten by the “bug”.  Others might say I’m addicted or obsessed, but I’d like to think I’ve simply found my niche and God has provided me a calling.  Years ago God created the desire in me to love and care for orphans.  Show Hope has provided me the means and the opportunity to act.

Now I'm filled by a love
That calls me to action
I was empty before now I'm drawn to compassion
And to give myself away

Living for the lost
Loving 'til it hurts
No matter what the cost
Like You loved me first
That's the motion of mercy

So, will God leave me here in this spot forever - serving as a walking billboard and volunteering to work at the Show Hope table whenever I can?  I seriously doubt it.  But that’s okay because I really wouldn’t want Him to.  I am active and happy and doing what I can in the realm of orphan care right now because He didn’t leave me where I was nine years ago.  I didn’t get to where I am overnight, and I haven't turned my back on anything I've begun along the way.  What started as a simple request for adoption grant information soon changed to a desire to do more, and even after years of finding more ways to be involved I continue to look for even more.  Through Show Hope Christ has truly changed the way and the why I am.  I cannot fathom what He has in store for me in the future, but I know that each time change comes it make everything that much better so I truly pray that He just keeps right on changing things.

So…  why am I a Show Hope sponsor?  

I am a Show Hope sponsor because Christ used Show Hope to call me to action and my heart can't help but respond to that motion of mercy.

God give me strength to give something for nothing
I wanna be a glimpse of the Kingdom that's coming soon…

Thank you, Show Hope!  I can't wait to see what the next nine years brings.  You have truly blessed my life.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."  John 13:34

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."  John 15:12

"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

Listen to Motion of Mercy here...