Love Came Down To Rescue Me
by Candi Lopes, Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Psalm 127:3 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.
I was listening to my worship playlist this morning, and this song really spoke to me––Love Came Down by Brian Johnson. It made me think of how many times God has come down to rescue me with His Love.
Since I was in the womb, God loved me and had a plan for me. He brought my biological mother from Indiana, her husband from Missouri, my adoptive mother from Missouri, and my adoptive father from Indiana, all to Hawai’i. Believe in coincidences? Not me; I believe in God’s plan. He created this plan for me, as He does for each and every child from the time they are in their mother’s womb. He brought all these people to this island, at that time, so that I could be adopted by my parents and be raised in this beautiful land with so many more blessings than I could ever express enough gratitude for.
Psalm 127:3 points out the importance God places on children. As the Children’s Ministry Coordinator, I have focused my life around working with children. From a young age, I knew God had placed in my heart a deep love for children. By being the older sister helping with the babies my parents took in through foster care, with the younger siblings to guide and grow with, I have always loved caring and loving children.
But how can I share that love with more and more children? I knew I always wanted to be like my parents, so when I retire, I will take in foster children. But why do I have to wait? How can I serve foster children now? God calls us to help the orphans, and those who do not have homes, or loving people in their lives.
Yes, I could have gone into social work, but God’s path led me from being a preschool teacher, to children’s ministry at First Prez. Yes, our Ohana Ministry serves children in need. We partner with Family Programs Hawaii when we can, Compassion International, and, in the past, Operation Christmas Child. We travel to places, like Cambodia, to support other ministries working with children in poverty. Our church supports so many orphans through different ministries and financial support. But am I doing enough?
The Message version of Psalm 127:3 says: “Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? The fruit of the womb His generous legacy?”
How can I get more people to help the orphans? Should I start or join a ministry that promotes this? Should I get support for parents who are deep in the trenches of dealing with what comes with bringing an orphan into their home?
I’m not sure what God wants to do with my life experiences, or the educational and professional development I’ve had, or the blessings He has bestowed upon me. But I do know that I have a deep sense of stewardship with all that He has given me. I know that it wasn’t a coincidence that I was adopted as an infant, and witnessed the inner workings of foster care firsthand.
What about you? How has the Lord asked you to care for children, especially those in need?
Prayer: Dear Father, we are so honored to be Your children (Your princes and princesses). You have been “too amazing” to us, if there’s ever such a thing. We have done nothing to deserve all You have done, and we know You don’t expect anything in return. You have grown us in so many ways. Continue to show us Your ways, Your love, and the path You have for us, especially during this 40-day fast. We surrender to You, and we thank You for EVERYTHING. In Your Son’s Name, Amen.
