"My daughters are free because their mother decided not to allow her past to define their future!!" -Chirstine Caine
"...and these whom He justified, He also glorified." -Romans 8:30
What does it mean to glorified? What does it mean to be set apart? To be adopted? To be pulled from the mire and have your feet set firmly on a rock? Romans 8:30 is my life verse, because it tells me that it doesn't matter where I come from or who I come from, but only to Whom I now belong. I always try to instill in my children that they can be transformed and be anyone they want to be, within the will of God. They can be set apart for the new life He has for them and be the first of many Godly generations. To be glorified means to be filled with His beauty and purpose, and that they definitely are.
When I think of being set apart from the world, my mind flashes to three faces in the mountains of Western Honduras.
Hearing these words, I felt like I was hearing my own story. I was also raised in a Catholic home and was the first in my family to become a born again Christian, but not until age 16. This decision was often not understood or well-received by those around me. Seeing such small children make the decision to follow God completely on their own, and with such joy, amazed me. I instantly felt protective of them. I went over and made friends with the girls, who appeared unsure at best. I asked their names- Irma, Yessenia, and Kenia. I took that first serious picture of them and told them how beautiful they were. Then, their amazing smiles emerged.
"...and these whom He justified, He also glorified." -Romans 8:30
What does it mean to glorified? What does it mean to be set apart? To be adopted? To be pulled from the mire and have your feet set firmly on a rock? Romans 8:30 is my life verse, because it tells me that it doesn't matter where I come from or who I come from, but only to Whom I now belong. I always try to instill in my children that they can be transformed and be anyone they want to be, within the will of God. They can be set apart for the new life He has for them and be the first of many Godly generations. To be glorified means to be filled with His beauty and purpose, and that they definitely are.
When I think of being set apart from the world, my mind flashes to three faces in the mountains of Western Honduras.
We registered these 3 girls as new additions to the Manna 4 Lempira child sponsorship program on my most recent trip to Honduras this past summer. When I first saw them, they were sitting together behind a row of chairs in the corner of the feeding center where they could hardly be noticed. They weren't in line to be registered with the rest of the new children, but I knew I hadn't seen them before. I was told that we were waiting on permission from their parents before we could enroll them. I learned that these little ones face opposition from their Catholic parents because they want to attend the Christian church and feeding program to hear the bible. Although their parents don't approve, they continue to attend the church every week.
Hearing these words, I felt like I was hearing my own story. I was also raised in a Catholic home and was the first in my family to become a born again Christian, but not until age 16. This decision was often not understood or well-received by those around me. Seeing such small children make the decision to follow God completely on their own, and with such joy, amazed me. I instantly felt protective of them. I went over and made friends with the girls, who appeared unsure at best. I asked their names- Irma, Yessenia, and Kenia. I took that first serious picture of them and told them how beautiful they were. Then, their amazing smiles emerged.
The girls were eventually registered into the sponsorship program that day; and yes, I became their sponsor. With a connection like that, how could I not? I am ecstatic to be able to stay in touch with these girls through letters and continue to encourage them in their faith. By the grace of God, the cares of the world will not be able to choke out the desire for Him in their hearts. We have been set free to equip our daughters, even our honorary daughters in the LORD, for a life of glory. They will be set apart to go on and equip future generations! They will rise up and be unstoppable!
Also, can we talk about the fact that Irma (on the left) has purple flowers on her shirt?? For those of you who don't know, purple flowers are a personal symbol between God and I of His faithfulness in my life. Of course He would send my girl to me covered in a flowery purple top. Did I really expect anything less?
Update 2021: A younger sister was born a few years later, and I recently became her sponsor too. Her name is Floridalma and she is currently 3 years old.
