Whose Child is She?

"Whose child is she?"

A question jokingly asked in our house frequently. Whether it is the "concerts" with complete with microphone & guitar, a fashion show or the occasional meltdown with screaming and carrying on, I often look at my daughter and wonder. Whose child is she?

Lately I have noticed something different in the way Isabel plays and how she speaks about when she's older (or how she says it..."old and married"). She has decided when she gets married they will adopt orphans so she can be their mom. A tender heart has emerged with a passion I am floored by.

I stood in the hallway the other day listening to Isabel "teach" the imaginary orphans at the school she runs in her bedroom. I was floored by her patience and laughter with the game. I listened as she taught them of God's love and her love for them. I listened as she sang to them and cuddled them. (Okay, yes I do know they are invisible, but in her game, in her head, they are not).

Then last week as the kids' quiet time was wrapping up I walked by her bedroom and saw all her play money spread all over her bed in piles. "Whatcha playing?" I asked. "Well, mom," insert flash of a dimpled grin here, "I am selling things with my princess cash register to get money for the people who don't have any. Then they can come to me and I'll give them money to get what they need."

I cried. Right there leaning on her door jam, I cried big, overwhelmed tears. Whose child is this?

When I regained my composure I hugged her and explained that I am amazed by her love for people and just in awe of the heart that God gave her.

Moved, I was today. (and apparently channeling Yoda in my writing)

I went in search of a project our family could do. Something to help Isabel take her heart and really touch people for Jesus. Something that would allow her to do something for these orphans that she loves in her heart and in her imaginary world.

Soon into my online research I found myself getting discouraged. Everything I found was about giving money. Don't get me wrong, I am not opposed to supporting organizations but this was about more than a check. This was about making service real for Isabel, for our family.

On a whim I submitted a form asking an organization called Orphan's Lifeline International explaining a bit about Isabel's heart and what I was searching for. Within minutes I had an answer back that we could make blankets, hats and clothing for orphans right here in the U.S..

When I told Isabel she covered her mouth in shock and then she cried. Big, overwhelmed tears. With tears still on her cheeks she began to smile, "Okay, we'll start with a blanket and clothes. When can we get to the store, mom?"

Whose child is she?

God's.

And if He is moving the heart of a five-year-old to provide for His children imagine what He'll do with her life. Imagine what He could do with our family.

So this afternoon's homeschooling is cut short. We're off to put our shoes on and go to the store. After all, there are orphans to be clothed and blankets that need to stitched together with love. And there is a 5 year old whose view of Jesus and the world is about to get a whole lot bigger.

One last thought, as I read James 1:27 (look after orphans and widows in their distress) to Isabel over her snack today. I said, "See how your games and desires are matching up with God's word."

"Yep," she said. "Cuz that's why God made us. To love. So when are we going to the store?"

(right now, baby girl, right now)