An orphan among orphans...

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:27

This is a well known verse among Christians and even non-Christians alike. Christians like this verse because it's comforting for us to know that the Lord of the universe cares about those in affliction but also that He wants us to pitch in and help. Non-Christians like this verse because this is something that they can identify with because it's something that we can all 'agree' on. But have you even wondered why God wants us to visit orphans and widows? Why didn't He say, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit the lepers and the homeless" or "to visit the blind and the deaf?" Hmm...

Working in an orphanage really brings James 1:27 to life and makes it quite tangible. Miguel, the founder of the orphanage, gave his testimony this morning and spoke about how this whole project began. To sum it up, but not nearly do it justice, Miguel began Noah-style and started accepting children two by two. Okay, maybe not exactly 'two by two' but he did start off with bringing in two children under his wing. And then they brought friends. And it multiplied. And multiplied. And multiplied! Thus, Hogar de la Sagrada Familia was born.

During Q&A time, Miguel was asked how many kids he has in the orphanage. He answered, "Around 800." He was questioned about the age limit that the children could stay until. He responded, "There is none."

"Do you turn away children, especially when you don't have enough food to feed them all or enough places to keep them?"
"No, I've never turned away a child."

Coming away from hearing Miguel speak, I couldn't help but thank the Lord for his love of these lost children. 1 Peter 2 talks about keeping our conduct around others honorable so that others will see our good works and glorify God. I saw Miguel's good works and couldn't help but glorify God. Thank you, Father, for the obedience that Miguel has towards You and Your Will... So, what is it about being at an orphanage that makes me feel completely blessed and loved? No, it wasn't because I had more 'earthly' blessings. No, it wasn't even because I was getting my daily dose of physical touch by dozens of little Peruvian manos. Seeing the children run up and kiss Miguel reminded me of two things: how these children all viewed Miguel as their father and how Jesus was always around the little children. And then I remembered something. I know why God told us to visit orphans and widows. Do you know why? Get ready for it....(enter drumroll)...

God told us to visit the orphans and widows in their afflictions because we were all orphans and widows. I'm going to write that again in caps, not because I'm shouting but because it needs emphasis: WE WERE ALL ORPHANS AND WIDOWS! We were all roaming this earth, Fatherless and Husbandless. (Fellas, bear with me here.) Being separated from the God above renders us without a Father, but we have Hope! Ephesians 1:5 says this, "In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will..." Chapter four of Ephesians goes on to compare us (the church) to the bride of Christ! Are you getting this?! If it wasn't for Jesus Christ Himself, we would be without a Father and without a Husband. But we've been adopted into the greatest Family of all: just because it might happen to be the messiest and most dysfunctional family of all doesn't mean it isn't still the greatest. God wants us to visit the orphans and widows in their afflictions because that's what He did for us! Praise the Lord that He is the Ultimate Adopter!

Blessings from one orphan to another,
Cristianna Smith