We worked at a special needs orphanage this past week.
Some of the things God showed me while working there were:
Just sitting with someone can make all the difference. Most of the kids were nonverbal and a lot of them can’t move on their own, but just sitting with them and showing physical affection did more for them than I think we will ever realize. You can still give someone your full attention if you aren’t verbally speaking. And you can still speak positive praises and declarations over them.
Celebrate the little things. So much of the time we go about our days without realizing the little things God is providing for us. We need to stop and celebrate those moments, no matter how small, whether it’s a green light when we are late for work, or an unexpected off day, or an extra nugget in our chicken nugget meal. When I was working with a girl named Francisa, she moved her hand. The workers said that’s a big deal for her because she usually doesn’t move at all. Celebrate the growth.
Laughter is good for the soul. It goes a long way. The last day we were there, Heather, one of my teammates, made a little boy laugh who had been pretty grumpy the day before. Even when there are no words that can be said, we can still laugh, and we can make others laugh. It changes the spiritual atmosphere.
The workers at the orphanage are amazing. They are so patient. They don’t just spend time with the kids but really try to make improvements with them. They do occupational therapy with them and try to better their lives. They serve them day in and day out. They truly love them.
I’ll leave you with this verse from Ezekial 16:49-
Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.
Don’t the lifestyle of America make you arrogant, unconcerned, and overfed. Sit with someone who’s alone, help someone in need, give to someone, laugh and make others laugh, and celebrate the tiniest of things.
