We sponsor four children in Uganda. $35 for one child, every month, pays for their clothing, food, education and housing. It is probably just about the best way we have spent $35 in all of our lives! Just after Christmas, we had received letters from the kids in Uganda as well as copies of their report cards. I was in a rush when I opened the mail, sat it aside on the counter top... but fully planned to return to it later that day. That never happened. In a strange turn of events, I actually forgot about them altogether for a few weeks. This is SO not like me, I LOVE things like this and I love the implications such mail always has on my life. Nevertheless...they were forgotten. Important little morsel...and I will return to the letters in a bit.
A couple of weeks ago, we had Addie Claire and Leagan's rooms repainted. Leagan's room was very elaborate and VERY difficult to cover up. Addie Claire's was very tranquil, just light pink. (Odd, because if their personalities were reflected in their wall paint, they would've had to swap rooms!)
As awesome as this room was, and I LOVED the scriptures so bold in her room, Leagan was ready for a change. Shawn and I both discussed and agreed upon simply painting their rooms a neutral color to where it wasn't such a big deal when they decided they wanted to change bedding. We would decorate the walls with pictures, framed art...something other than having the decor PAINTED onto their walls. Both of the girls were wanting their walls painted a color with possibly designs, but we have been very convicted lately of our spending habits as well as what our kids are learning about money through us. So...neutral it would be.
Funny...although I told them their rooms were just going to be painted a neutral color, they still came home thinking that they would find the walls to their fortress covered with something other than a bland color of paint. They were both visibly disappointed, even though they knew in their spirits that was a selfish reaction...and so they were able to conceal almost all of the setback their great anticipation of colorful beauty was suffering.
Now...re-enter my convictions of being good stewards of our money and raising children who are appreciative of what God has provided. Their reaction and my convictions SO did not mesh. My heart was wounded, and I (being me) didn't hide my disappointment well. I think something like this spewed from my mouth, "if you have _______ in your piggy bank then you are welcome to paint the walls any way you'd like! It cost _____ much to have the last paint job covered...COVERED. (those beautiful scriptures and elaborate zebra stripes were not covered with just a swipe of paint, and the black frame for the mirror... that was CAULKED on... did some damage to the sheetrock that had to be fixed. sigh.) Otherwise, I suggest you be thankful that you no longer have the zebra and polka dots that clash with your new bedding!"
After my vomiting of emotions, I sat down to read the letters for the sweet kids in Uganda. The girls were both sitting on the couch in the living room with me, because as the good Lord would have it...the paint in their rooms was still drying. So, they wanted me to read them aloud...and they were beautiful. Even though the English was broken, their hearts were pure and it didn't take long for tears to stream. Sweet Esther wrote, "Am also glad to get a pen and a book to write for you this letter appreciating you for what you have provided for me...". Esther...the name itself draws an undeniable parallel to the biblical woman who was used by God to save the Jews from the despicable plans of Haman. Orphans. Both our Esther and the Esther of the bible were orphans. And just as Esther was used by God in a mighty way, half a world away...God has used another Esther in a life altering moment for the Wilsons.
As we set there crying, what a beautiful moment it was. I knew immediately why God had saved those letters for this perfect time. While my babies are worried about the silly paint in their rooms, this precious soul is appreciative that she has a pen and a book to be able to write to us. Perspective. Not only was I so thankful for God's timing, but how incredible that He has shown up in such a mighty way to help me parent and teach my kids His ways. I am praying that God helps me to convey to Esther just how important her letter was to my family, the impact it had, and the way that she was used by a mighty God who is a father to the fatherless.
Thank you Jesus that you can still use an orphan named Esther. Thank you Jesus that you love my family enough to allow us to know Esther. Thank you Jesus for helping me to parent my gifts in your ways. Thank you.
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