We sang....
I could hold on, I could hold on to who I am and
never let you change me from the inside
and I could be safe, I could be safe here in your arms and
never leave home never let these walls down
but you have called me higher
you have called me deeper
and I'll go where you will lead me Lord
The words higher and deeper really resonated with me. God has brought me so far. So so far. But He has called me higher and deeper, and I do sincerely want to go where He will lead me.
In so many ways I feel like my role as an advocate has lost momentum the past couple years. I'm not blogging much anymore, I haven't done a Compassion Sunday presentation for almost 2 years, I haven't successfully connected children with new sponsors in a long time....
But then I look at the seeds I planted in my own family and in my advocacy, and I see growth. I see our "plants" growing higher and our "roots" growing deeper in this ministry. I see how this ministry and pursuing sponsorship as a family has shaped our family and become part of our DNA.
This past weekend my family volunteered together at the Compassion Experience and it was wonderful. On our way there I kind of felt like I was dragging everyone along with me, but during our shift I witnessed each and every one of them enjoying themselves as they confidently helped guide visitors through the exhibit. Both girls asked me separately if we could volunteer more frequently at these events. Higher and deeper....with God's help and leading, I am raising the next generation of advocates.
Each month my girls write to their birthday buddies and their assigned correspondent children as part of their school work. One daughter is more eager than the other to write letters, but they both get it done. They have their own accounts that they can log into, but the accounts are linked to my email so I get a copy of what they write. Each month I am blown away by the quality of the letters they are writing. Higher and deeper....my girls are speaking LIFE through these letters.
Finally, our family performs regularly at events and we specify that any tips we receive will go towards Compassion's Water of Life initiative. Last summer we were able to donate about $650, and even more exciting to me are the conversations we get to have about Compassion. Higher and deeper....using our God-given talents and abilities to advocate and make a difference.
As I sat down to write this post I had no idea what I was going to write. I had no idea how the words "higher and deeper" related to my sponsorship experience. I'm so grateful I took the time to sit and allow God to show me how He is leading me. I'd love to know how God is leading you in your sponsorship journey and your advocacy.
