Oh Happy Day

Today, we celebrated our son, Samuel's 6th birthday. Boy, did we have a good day...pool time, some slip n slide action, pizza, watermelon, icecream cake, balloons, many renditions of "Happy Birthday to You", wonderful presents, and sweet conversations with wonderful friends and family. It is so fun watching him enjoy his day. It's all about him today...and he was loving every second of it! And so was I. As I was preparing last night and into the morning for his birthday, I was struck by the thought that today as I celebrate the birth of our Samuel, there is atleast 1 (if not many more) child/children who shares the same birthday as my Samuel, but who will not have a mommy "fuss" over their birthday. Out of 147 million orphans worldwide, there is someone who today, although it is their birthday, won't have a mommy running all over town at night trying to get the "best" gift for them, attempting to get balloons into the car without them popping in her face or flying away, buying a special cake and fun party games. That child will not have a daddy cut out of work for half the day just to make it a point to be at the big birthday party. That child will not have a mommy and daddy to pray over them that God would protect them and guide them this next year. That child will have no little brothers and sisters trying to "help" unwrap the presents or to show off his/her new clothes. There will be no friends wishing him/her well and laughing together as they run off and play tag. Instead, they will go the entire day...most likely unaware that it is even their birthday. Alone. Without Hope. Without a Future. Goodness, this is just not right. Now' I get that 147 million orphans is an overwhelming number and changing this statistic isn't going to happen overnight. But, what about changing it for just ONE child. How about one less statistic? Now, that's not too overwhelming, is it? Just one. Just one extra place setting at the table, just one extra toothbrush, just one extra hug and kiss goodnight, just one extra prayer in the evening, just one more birthday party to "fuss" over.

Just ONE.

Think about it.

Just One.