It's hard to celebrate....

a birthday or a milestone in life when there are an estimated 163,000,000 orphans in the world!  That is such a staggering number!

Yesterday the kids and I went to a birthday party.  My friend did a FANTASTIC job with the theme.  It was really cute.  Her son loves the Fresh Beat Band.  She had several instruments, music and even color sheets with the characters on them.  The kids had a blast.  When it came time to open presents I watched as each child (there were between 15 and 20) eagerly waited for the little boy to open ALL of his presents.  They were all so excited and squealed as he tore the paper.  The look on their faces was shear joy. 

Sadness struck.  I fought back tears. Thinking of the children who have NEVER had a birthday party.  Children who have NEVER received a present.  If we choose to adopt a child from an orphanage  will that child even know what to do with a box wrapped in shiny paper?  Will they even understand children coming over and singing to them and then scarfing down an endless amount of cake and ice cream?  Do they know what cake is?  Do they know that celebrating the day of your birth is significant?

I am not by any means saying it is bad to celebrate your birthday.  But it is bad to turn your back on the orphans of this world.  Maybe you will adopt.  Maybe you will foster.  Maybe you will be a safe home.  Maybe you will send money.  Maybe you will pray.  You have to do something.  The Lord commands it. 

What will you do?