The privilege of giving

A couple of weeks back we had the privilege of visiting a local orphanage.  There were about 20 infants, 15 babies, and 30 toddlers and children.   The kids were well-taken care of and the facilities were good. The government has even provided for several babies with hair lips and minor deformities to have corrective surgeries to improve their chances of being adopted. Pretty much all of the babies there had been sold at birth and then found by the police.

Many of the older children had significant needs, and really soaked in the attention and affection.  I can still feel the arms around my neck and the little hands in mine, see the shy smiles and hear the laughter of children who never take love for granted.

Being there was unforgettable.  David recently wrote about the power of the uninvolved person, how selfless actions can carry enormous importance to those on the receiving end.  Yet it's always amazing to me how moving it is to be the uninvolved person.  There is something supernatural that happens within you when you give unsolicited... an incredible surge of love wells up and pours forth, and in those moments, nothing matters but reaching out and caring for the needs of, and in doing so, touching the hearts of, those you are serving.

And that's when you know that you are receiving far more than you are giving...

I hope you have a chance to do something like that for someone today.  It's what Life is all about.