Showing Up

The theme at this year’s Lifeline retreat was “showing up.” It was about answering the question of “how can we show up for vulnerable children and families?”

This event always impacts me in a few different ways. I come away inspired by the selflessness of the staff that pours their lives into trying to answer God’s call to care for vulnerable. I come away with great respect and admiration for the families that have taken on the lifelong commitment of adoption. I come away with gratitude for the amazing family that I have and all of the blessed opportunities that I have had in life. Lastly, I come away with a burden. A burden to show up and help those that cannot help themselves.

Jerry Leachman is the dynamic former Chaplain for the Washington Redskins. I have heard him speak a few times and my favorite quote of his is - “You can fake caring in life, but you can’t fake showing up.” How true - and convicting.

There are many “concerns” that we hear about on a regular basis. Prayer requests, the latest crises, and ongoing injustices like the global orphan epidemic are just some of the things that hit our radar on a daily or weekly basis. We can all feel overwhelmed with the volume of items that should occupy some level of interest on our part.

We ultimately all have to decide “who and what” each of us want to show up for. These aren’t always easy decisions but no one can make them for us.

God doesn’t always work through those that have the most ability. More often he works through those with the most “availability.” Are we available for those that we want to show up for?

Stay hungry,

Big E

Matt. 5:6