love-starvation

It's 5 am (oh jet-lag baby!) and I'm freshly back from China with a heart that is full of the stories of my time there and His precious children and a fire in my spirit that makes me come alive. All at the same time there is a feeling of emptiness - of loss. A feeling of leaving my heart behind there, in China.

I remember that happening last year. Of certain things being painful when I came home. Looking at pictures, certain triggering of the senses reminding me of something that happened in China, all usually causing the same effect - tears or laughter.

So - the life we live, serving and following Him - joy and pain. Tears and laughter. Joy IN pain, laughter through the tears.

The precious little ones in China have gone through so much - yet they can smile and laugh and are filled with joy in the simple things. Ice cream for the first time, McDonalds (we ate there about once a day the first week of Continue Home, kids choice!) ;), coloring or doing simple crafts of things most people in America would throw away as junk.

Yet there is this physical hunger and need for touch. Their need for hugs and kisses, sitting on a lap and holding hands is desperate! Sure they love the fun things we do, swimming, scavenger hunts, assemblies but I think what they love most is simply being physically loved.

Walking along a China street and feeling that little hand in mine. Little hungry-hearts, dying of love starvation. Someone to tuck them in, to give them kisses, to hug them when they fall down and kiss their boo-boos. To tickle them until they squeel.

I know not everyone is called to China but where are your little Gracie's and Hannah's who need love? So many kids are dying for love all over the world. Where is your heart and how are you helping fill the love-starvation so many children are dying of?

My heart is left in China - and every summer I will go back. Maybe someday I can move there forever and be a mother to all the China babies who need so much love that God has put in my heart to give them and teach them about "A Father to Fatherless..."