Shaun Groves
During the concert I’d held up an example child sponsorship packet. The little boy’s name was Angel. He lives in Peru. “I’ll leave this packet here on the stage. If anyone would like to come in a minute at intermission and sponsor him, you’re welcome to,” I’d said.
An hour later…
“I just have to tell you,” she began, stopping me in the lobby after the concert. “Years ago, my husband made a mistake with a teenaged girl…”
Her story sounded like a movie, not like something a person in the real world could weather as well as she is. Her husband went to prison – abandonment heaped upon betrayal.
“You asked us to pray, so I did,” she laughed. “And God told me to sponsor Angel.”
Her big brown eyes filled with tears. “I said, ‘But God that’s her name. Every time I pray for that boy I’ll have to think about her.'”
(Then my allergies started acting up.)
“And God said maybe I should pray for both of them.”
A middle-aged man also raised his hand that night. A volunteer handed him a child sponsorship packet to fill out and return to the Compassion table at intermission.
He wasn’t sure he should sponsor but he thought he’d at least take a look at a packet and pray about. “If I did sponsor a child,” he said afterward, “I thought it would be nice if he had the same birthday as my son.” His son had passed away and he thought sponsorship might be a meaningful way to celebrate his life. But he wasn’t sure. Like a lot people, he thought child sponsorship sounded good but…
“She handed me this packet and look! Look at the birthday on this kid! That’s my son’s birthday.”
One promoter last week was surprised I’m singing so little on this tour of ours. “So, mostly, your job is just to get kids sponsored?” he asked.
No. That’s obviously not my job at all.
My job is to tell the stories God has already written, and to believe that he hasn’t put his pen down yet.
It’s the believing that’s felt like work. But then I went to Oklahoma last week.
Shelly says:
Believing is the work sometimes… but oh how the heart sings glory when I read this. He is God.
thomas says:
For some reason I find myself having to fight back my “allergies” while reading this post.
Sandi says:
Me, too. My “allergies” act up a lot when I read this blog.
Matthew (FzxGkJssFrk) says:
Ditto, thomas.
Jessica says:
I like you. And your words.
Kristy says:
I love this: “My job is to tell the stories God has already written, and to believe that he hasn’t put his pen down yet.” Amen.
Michelle ~ Blogging from the Boonies says:
I have been blessed to work many a Compassion table and, to be honest, it is one of my favorite things to do.
It is awe-inspiring to see these “God moments” happen before your very eyes.
These “coincidences” you’re sharing here? They happen often. Different details, different marks of God on the special connections, but still so very personal. Unmistakable. It is unforgettable to see that look on a person’s face when they hold a packet of a child and they *know* God arranged the details that brings a new member into their family.
Our God is so good.
If you have a heart for Compassion, I would like to encourage you to consider becoming a Compassion Advocate. You’ll learn more about the organization, you will have access to resources that will help in advocacy and you will have the opportunity to witness these God moments face to face.
Marla Taviano says:
Chills. Thanks for sharing.
Karen says:
I love that woman’s hard-courage and hard-obedience!
I love that we have a sovereign God!
Betsy says:
I really needed to read this. We’re in a time where we’re questioning if there’s a plan or if God is just saying it’s up to us. There’s always the wondering if we’re overlooking something. I’ve always believed that God is in every detail but then I doubt it for my family. But He is God and He is sovereign.
Yvonne says:
I had to fight back tears on Saturday night here in California at the Rock of Ages Festival. A young lady came up to the table, holding a child packet, and there was so much joy in her face! Bob Lenz’s wife mentioned this to the young lady as she was filling out the child sponsorship form. As this young lady looked up, there were tears in her eyes. It was just enough to give my arms chills and my eyes filled.
As Compassion Advocates, we have the blessing of not only seeing that children’s lives are being changed, but also the people who are taking the step of faith to make a difference by sponsoring a child at an event.
Thank you for what you do Shaun from the stage (even though you haven’t been to California yet!), and allowing God to help you share stories that change so many lives!
Teena says:
How awesome! God continues to perform miracles!
Hope to see/meet you in Atlanta!
Hugs
Katie Axelson says:
I’m not carrying around sponsorship packets in my guitar case, but we have the same job: My job is to tell the stories God has already written, and to believe that he hasn’t put his pen down yet.
Katie
Kris says:
Man, just look at God work. I love these kinds of stories, when He reveals His presence, and all you can do it stand in awe of bow He holds all things just so, in His hands.
I love how God uses others to build and restore our faith. Praying for you, Shaun. God’s showing up and making sure you know it. How awesome is that?!
Andy and Miranda -- Compassion Calling says:
Wow! Just wow! Our God paints beautiful pictures, sings beautiful songs, and writes beautiful stories, if we are willing to be the broken vesils that he can use. Thank you for sharing!