It seems like forever since my last blog post! Wouldn’t you agree? Have you been having Moms4Change withdrawals?

Not to worry, I’m still here & keepin’ it real. {it rhymes… almost}

I was convinced this is what people thought about when I was talking... or plotting how they could make their escape...

I have this thingy. This thingy has followed my since I was a little girl. No it’s not a butt wart. {sorry, I had to say it!}

The thing is the fear that people really don’t care. Sure they ask, but they really don’t want to hear what I have to say. I just KNOW I’m wasting their time, so I try to summarize how I’m doing & what I’ve been up to {usually stumbling over my words & not making any sense} then quickly change the subject to them. I do this alot. It’s my hang-up. It’s my thingy.

There are times when I’m really comfortable with someone that I will open up & share the details of my life, but it’s rare. And I find 97% of people don’t press for more. {yes, I took a poll} They are content with talking about themselves, which confirms my belief that I am not worth their time. And consequently it’s a big pet peeve of mine when I see someone who only talks about their self-absorbed life.

I’ve become my biggest pet peeve.

Yep. In the past few months, thanks to blogging & our upcoming trip to Swaziland, I’ve become that person. The person who talks & talks & talks, whether you want to listen or not. How did this happen?

I’ve been talking & fundraising for our missions trip to Swaziland in September EVERY WAKING MINUTE OF EVERY DAY! At least that’s how it seems.

Side story: I even find myself dreaming about fundraising ideas – like the one where I organize a circus carnival complete with acrobats, creepy clowns & elephants in our .21 acre backyard – all so our Beveni kids can have school supplies. It’d be great dream except somehow I end up owing money instead of making money because I can’t bear to charge people to have fun!

I actually am enjoying fundraising mostly because I have something I believe in, that I’m passionate about. And for ONCE I don’t mind telling people! I just KNOW if people hear about Swaziland and the immense needs half way around the world that they too will become passionate enough to help CREATE change.

I just know if they come to understand the reality that a 15 year old is middle-aged in Swaziland they won’t be able to turn a blind eye. I just know it… so I talk, and talk, and talk… usually long after their eyes have glazed over. But it’s worth it because enough people are actually listening, supporting the cause  & letting the realities penetrate their hearts.

Romans 10:14 says, “How, then, can people call on someone they have not believed? And how can they believe in someone they have not heard about? And how can they hear without someone preaching?”

Fundraising gives me an opportunity to be a VOICE for the voiceless & gives the listener an opportunity to believe in someone they have not heard about before- the Swazi people.

Yeah, when we arrive on Swazi soil, we’ll preach the word by loving & serving them. But I’m talking about preaching the TRUTH to my sphere of influence here in America – that there are real people with real needs RIGHT now in whom WE can make a difference! So I talk, and talk, and talk…

For once in my life, I feel no measure of guilt for talking, and talking, and talking, and for now sharing the needs of the Swazi people. I no longer feel guilty for raising money to go to them in FIVE weeks, to hold the 4 year old who’s parents have abandoned him or died, to play with the 12 year old who now must take care of her siblings, or to cook with the Go-go’s for 132 kids morning & evening. I am excited to provide an opportunity for YOU to be a part of something greater than yourself, just as I have been given that opportunity.

Besides the birth of my children & my wedding day, I can think of no greater joy than doing to what I’m doing right now.

I WANT that SO badly for each of you reading this – that you would experience joy that can only come from knowing God is using you to bless others. He looks past our inabilities, our fears, our shortcomings, our past failures.

He takes our hand and says, “Look! Look at the plans I have for you! I have created your hands to serve the needy, your arms to hold the lonely, and your voice to declare freedom those who are enslaved. I have given you talents & abilities not for your own glory, but to be used as a vessel for my glory to shine through.”

So whatever your thingy is, don’t let it hold you back from making a difference in our world!

Sorry if this post was too long! LOL!

Shine On Sisters!