"You Can't Save the World"

"You can't save the world," and other nonsensical notions.

My heart is ripped out of my chest every time I read stories or see images such as the one below.  When I see this precious child, abandoned, I don't see a stranger from another country; I see one of my children.  

My children are no longer abandoned, orphaned, neglected, abused or forgotten.  They are wanted, loved, cherished, nurtured, trained, disciplined...wanted.

Stories like the one below are reality, church.  These conditions exist in every corner of the fallen world in which we live.  And yet we can't bear to acknowledge it.  Because then we might feel we need to do something.  Or feel guilty for not doing something.  We just want to get away from the stress of our comfy existence.  But when we are in our escape, might we consider the stress that millions of children face every day?  Or the stress that would cause a parent to do such a thing?

How easy it is for us (me included!) to forget the purpose for which we are given life.  It is not to satisfy our need for leisure, comfort and pleasure.  Rather, we are given life so that we might serve our Creator and glorify Him by loving others.  There are so many ways we can pass God's love for us on to others.

God has given our family a heartbeat for those left behind.  There is nothing special about us.  Not.one.thing.  We are simply choosing to put aside some of the temporary comforts this world has to offer in exchange for things that may make an eternal difference.  This is not to magnify us; it is to glorify Him.  And it is not a sacrifice for us.  To the contrary, it is a blessing.  But it isn't always easy.  And our behavior isn't always glorifying.  But we strive daily to respond to the Lord as He draws us to Himself.  As John Piper says, "...may the current of your affections flow toward the Father."  Yes, that's what I want!  I want to be able to cast aside the pleasures of this world without sadness because I am chasing so hard after the Lord that He is my whole heart's desire and all-consuming Purpose.

So, I can't save the world.  But I want to breathe my last knowing that I tried.  As I look out my rose colored glasses from the vantage point of the wealthiest nation in the world, this is what I see ~

Over 40 Babies Received by 'Safe Haven' in Jinan

• June 7, 2014
• By Zhao Ruixue
• Editor: Sandy Zhu
• Change Text Size: A  A  A

A six-year-old girl was thrown from a car outside a "safe haven" for abandoned children on Thursday in Jinan city, capital of East China's Shandong Province, before the vehicle sped away. Workers found 2,600 yuan ($412) in her pocket, together with a note giving her birthday as May 5, 2008. The refuge had received 44 abandoned children since opening on June 1. [iqilu.com]

By yesterday, the shelter for abandoned babies in Jinan, Shandong Province, has received 44 abandoned babies and children since its opening on June 1, according to Cai Hanming, deputy director of the Jinan Children's Welfare Institution, which runs the shelter. Cai confirmed that all of these baibies suffer illnesses and more than 10 children are above 1 year old.

Cai added that the number of the children they received in the past six days  already exceeded half of the total number of the children they received in 2013, and the institution felt much more pressure than before.

China now has 25 such "safe havens" for abandoned children. The first one was established in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, in 2011.

Several shelters have reported that they have faced difficulties because the number of abandoned babies they received exceeded their expectations.

Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, suspended the trial operation of its safe haven in March after receiving 262 babies and children after it opened in January.

Nanjing, capital city of Jiangsu province, has installed surveillance cameras in its safe haven to prevent parents from abandoning children, as the number of babies received has been surging since its opening in December.

The safe havens that are scheduled to open in Zhengzhou, Henan province, and Urumqi, the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on June 1 have been delayed.

However, Cai Hanming, deputy director of the Jinan Children's Welfare Institution, said the institution is able to run the safe haven well.

In addition to 100 beds, the institution has a 200-square-meter room in place for babies and children, the Jinan Children's Welfare Institution said.

The institution has workers on duty round-the-clock.

Covering 13 square meters, the safe haven in Jinan is a two-floor building, with the first floor storing medical devices and the second floor receiving babies.

The safe haven is painted with colors of pink and green with the eaves painted with cartoon images. Windows are decorated with cartoon stickers to protect privacy.

 (Souce: Xinhua)