How It All Started

“What is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?”
-Psalm 8:4, NIV

A few years ago I learned something shocking yet humbling. I learned that I ought not to have joined the Compassion Child Sponsorship Program; that I was the last choice in a process involving 60 other children my age and my name was not even originally on the list.

I learned that it was actually my cousin, who is also called Anthony Njoroge, who ought to have been enrolled in to the program. The only thing that stood in his way was his age; he was seven years old instead of the preferred age of six years old. When my aunt was asked to recommend someone else to take her son’s place she remembered me, and that’s how I came to be enrolled in Compassion.

Now I look back at this and see so many lessons that as a Christian I need to remember but most of the time keep forgetting as I journey through life:

Lesson 1
That love and sacrifice conquers all. Just like God giving his son to die on the cross instead of me, my aunt chose to have her son exempted from the program so that I could enjoy the benefits of the program even with the full knowledge that she, too, was in need, if not more.

Lesson 2
That God indeed thinks of me and He has a plan for me regardless of how far behind I might be in life or how many odds are against me. Surely His plan and purpose for my life will be fulfilled as long as I keep my mind stayed on Him.

Lesson 3
That indeed all things work for good to those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose, and there is nothing that takes place in my life that catches Him by surprise.

I can’t justify or explain any of these circumstances or factors that led to me joining Compassion, but one thing I know is this: it was the best thing that happened in my life.

6 Comments |Add a comment

  1. Anthony Njoroge March 25, 2009

    To Mike,

    Hello Mike,

    You are welcome, and its an encouragment to me as well that God has used this story to encourage you. Its amazing how God words and uses the things we least expect to bless us.

    Thanks for taking time the story and God bless you indeed.

    Anthony

  2. Mike Stephens March 25, 2009

    Anthony thanks for the story!!! I love these blogs b/c I get so much encouragment!!! Along the lines of Romans 8:28, Proverbs 16:33 in the amplified bible version says, “Even the things which seem accidental were really ordered by Him!!!”

  3. Anthony Njoroge March 10, 2008

    1. To Vicki Small.

    Hi vickie,
    Let me begin by sayin how grateful I am for all the time you take to read my posts and more so for the comments. I am truly humbled.

    As for the comment; all I can say is, “Amen to that” and May God continue to guide you.

    2. To Amy.

    Hi Amy,
    You are truly welcome and its an honour to be able to share my life with you and witness God’s great love. Thanks.

    3. To Sarah.

    Karibu sana (swahili for your welcome)

    Anthony

  4. Sarah March 1, 2008

    What an amazing story!

  5. Amy February 28, 2008

    This is an amazing story, thank you for sharing and for these important reminders.

  6. Vicki Small February 28, 2008

    I am learning to accept that, as I remain committed to following God’s lead, where I am and whatever role I fill is where God wants me to be. As I look back over the past few years, I see how my decisions, large or small, have in fact been part of God’s process of bringing me to where He can use me. And only He knows what is yet to come!

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