I can’t believe it was mid-July that I last blogged! This Summer has been a frenzy of activity – we joined in outreach and worship with Celebration for the Nations, a local festival of worship, and joined in community events as a church.
Then in August we went to Creation Fest where I had a great time serving in the kids’ tent. I don’t think they’ve uploaded all the teaching from there yet, but in the meantime you can check out last year’s teaching here.
Anyway I have just finished what I consider to be the best book I’ve read all year (apart from the Bible of course!). It’s called ‘Kisses from Katie’ by Katie Davis.
The book is about an American girl who took a gap year to help out in an orphanage in Uganda before going to college. Then through step by step obedience to God she somehow ended up living over there, adopting 13 little African girls and starting an organisation which is responsible for feeding and educating hundreds of children.
What I think is amazing about this book is not so much what she is doing, though obviously it is very unusual to be a mother of 13 at 22 years old! It is more her passion to obey God and love others as He commanded us, and to do God’s will despite the massive sacrifices it has meant.
As I read I found it hard to put down as I was in turn encouraged, inspired, challenged, then moved to tears by her thoughts, words, actions and description of what life is like for many in that country. And in reading it I felt like I had found a kindred spirit.
As I read it I wondered…
- Am I doing my best to love whoever God puts in my way that is suffering?
- Am I living close enough to God and open enough to His will that He can lead me step by step each day?
- Is there anything I can do to help those people over there and in many other places that are living in such incredible need?
And it reminded me powerfully of how God can use a life turned over completely to Him in unbelievable and amazing ways.
My gut feeling was that I wanted to move over there and help her raise those and many more kids!! But of course right now God has me where He wants me: I am raising my own kids and supporting my husband who is pastoring a church and reaching the spiritually lost in Wales.
However I believe there is great danger in these Western countries of becoming so comfortable that we forget to ask God what do you want me to do today? Who can I help today? And we need to keep looking outwards, and of course asking God if He wants us to financially or otherwise help those in poor countries too.
Here are some challenging quotes from Katie:
On hospitality:
‘This lifestyle of sharing and inviting others in – to sit at my table, to rest on my couch, to shower in our bathrooms, and to sleep in our beds – goes against everything our culture teaches about valuing personal space and privacy. I used to find it inconvenient, disruptive, even uncomfortable. But God continued to stretch me more and more and to teach me that this interruptible, public lifestyle is the way He desires me to live and to love.’
On balance of family, work and ministry:
‘As a rule I fill up on Jesus first, serve my children and run our household second, and then meet all the other needs that are thrown my way… in my life, there is no separation between job, ministry, or home life – everyone is family and everything is done for Jesus all the time.’
On sacrifice:
The most beautiful, heart-rending and incredibly challenging part was what
she wrote about how she ended up splitting up with her boyfriend. They loved each other, but God’s call was stronger and she chose to obey God. She says this at the end:
‘I still cry when I read those words I wrote so long ago. I still feel the sharp pain of that loss. The thought of spending eternity with Jesus, however, makes the pain seem trivial and momentary. That thought reminds me quickly that I want to forsake everything to remain in the center of God’s will for my life, that I want to give up everything for the sake of the Gospel. I believe with all of my heart that nothing is a sacrifice in light of the promise that one day I will get to live with Him forever. I want to obey. I want to give my life away.’
Please don’t read this and then go back to your normal life. Think about it. Katie is an example of a life sold out, and I believe that is the way Jesus desires us all to be… but many of us are not because we choose comfort instead. Are you willing to give your life for Him who gave His life for you?
If you want to read more about Katie, her blog is over here. You can also donate to her ministry in the same place.
Linking up with Finding Heaven Today and Sharing His Beauty
Although I have heard of the book, I have never read it. You have made me want to read it 🙂 Thanks for sharing about the book! I am visiting from Soli Deo Gloria this morning.
Blessings,
Joanne
Hi Joanne,
Thanks for visiting! It is a great book – lots of food for thought 🙂