Shaun Groves
In three days I’ll get on a plane with a bunch of women (and two husbands), head out over the ocean for a cluster of islands known as the Philippines. Where children are sold into slavery, tuberculosis and malaria are endemic in some areas, and families of many Compassion children we’ll meet work for $2 a day.
But first, biscuits.
My three kids are getting dressed and brushing hair, preparing for Daddy Day. Every Wednesday we spend the day together like this. But not quite like this.
Today is special – as every Wednesday should be. I have a greater awareness of grace before these trips I wish I could live in year round. A gratitude for arms and legs and minds intact. For pantry shelves full. For a closet of choices. For these three.
We’re heading out the door in a few minutes for the Loveless Cafe, where we’ll eat drop biscuits and waffles and whatever else they want to order. We’ll head next door to the art galleries and gift shop. Then we’ll…well, whatever they want.
Today we fill up. More present than most.
Why does it take separation to make together better? Poverty to stir gratitude?
shayne says:
Last night I was sitting with my kids at a Mexican restaurant. I couldn’t eat all my food because there was so much.
I remember thinking…how many kids are starving right now and here I can’t even finish my food? How many children have I allowed to die because my Starbucks and my cable tv was more important?
I’m not rich by American standards. Quite the opposite in fact. But I can afford to do SOMETHING. Pray for me. I want to be generous in spirit and generous in giving.
Pray for me.
Aimee says:
I am very much looking forward to reading the Compassion Bloggers’ stories from the Philippines! It is the country where I was born and raised. One that our family will return to this Summer after almost 15 years since our last visit, the first time for my children. This visit, it will be different… because we will be visiting our Compassion daughter! So. Excited.
Kelli says:
Have a blessed day with your kiddos!
Jill Foley says:
“Today we fill up. More present than most.”
This is something I am working on – the day to day spirit of gratitude and grace. Loving my stage in life. God is working on me – changing me – one day at a time.
I like your last statement. I will adopt it as my motto today – Today I will fill up. I will not “get done” – I will fill up.
Robin Dance says:
Shadows prove the sunshine….
{Praying for this special group of people as they minister life and love through word and deed. Love y’all.}
Angie says:
Praying for you as you prepare to say goodbye to your family.
Enjoy the little things today -and the big ones -like biscuts-too!
Sassiekiwi says:
Ah … i love the concept of “today I fill up” …
When you asked, “Why does it take separation to make together better? Poverty to stir gratitude?” it made me think of something Amy Grant wrote in a book could Mosaic that stuck with me.
Amy is talking with a friend who is dying. She asks Amy, “do you know what the most important colour is in an artist’s palette?” As Amy is thinking through the possible colours, she continues, “Child, it’s black. Black is the most important colour for an artist. You see, without black, there is no depth. Without black, everything appears flat. But mix black with any colour and you can paint an object so real you want to reach out and touch it.”
Amy goes on to say, “in our lives, the darkest times, the days that are bleak and black, add depth to every other experience. Like the dark bits of colour in a mosaic, they add the contrast and shadows that give beauty to the whole, but they are just a small part of the big picture.”
Maybe it’s the contrast that draws out the beauty … having to not having …
Safe travels!
kris says:
Praying for your trip and lookif forward to reading along. Many blessings along the way.
Princess Leia says:
What’s good is that you recognize it _before_ the separation, not just after. It’s easy to appreciate others after you’ve been apart for a while, but we get complacent when we’re together _ALL_THE_TIME_ (says the mostly stay-at-home mom of 3 who just carried one, pushed another, and herded the third to and from the library).
Praying for presence for all of us!
(Presents too, while we’re at it! Who doesn’t love presents?!)
JessicaB says:
Well now I’m feeling pensive and … hungry.
Beth says:
Man, as a former Nashvillian living in East Texas- please enjoy every minute of those biscuits for me! When I drive home down I-40 and near the Natchez and the Loveless, my heart remembers those biscuits. Good stuff 🙂
Michelle ~ Blogging from the Boonies says:
Why? Because we are so hopelessly human.
Excited, nervous and only slightly jealous about the trip. (I wouldn’t be hopelessly human if I didn’t admit it, right?) We’re all praying for you! It warms my heart to hear 4 year old Luna say, “We pray for Shaun Groves and the ‘Passion trip.” 🙂
jen says:
Every Wednesday is Daddy Day – what a wonderful way to bless your children . . . and (I’m guessing) your homeschooling wife as well! You go, Dad!
Cathy says:
If you meet my little boy – his name is John Kenneth Quillope – please give him a big hug for me. Tell him I wish I could hug him in person but that I pray for him every day!
I am so jealous and I really do wish I could hug him in person.