I recently gave my first presentation as an Advocate for Compassion International. The church I was visiting had the sermon based upon Compassion’s ministry and allowed me a 20-minute presentation. I was so excited for this opportunity that I could hardly sleep the night before.
The morning of my presentation, I woke to overflowing toilets. I decided this would not slow me down, so I hopped into the shower. Just as I lathered shampoo into my hair, sewage started bubbling up from the drain. I had to get out mid-bath, covered in soap. I made the best of it, styling my soapy hair.
My husband stayed home from church to wait for the plumber, meanwhile using the Shop-Vac to keep the sewage from flooding the floors.
I had bought a special dress for the event. I knew I had the right size because the size was clearly labeled on the hanger. I put on my dress to realize the hanger was for my size but the dress was three sizes too large. I gathered up the fabric, pulled it together, and gave it an “emergency hem” with safety pins.
As I exited my car at the church, I realize that I had selected two different shoes. Both were black sandals but one heel was higher than the other.
I marched into the church with blow-dried suds in my hair, bi-level shoes, and a pinned-up dress — pretending to have my act together.
I was not letting a few inconveniences get in the way of children being sponsored.
After all, my toilet may have been temporarily out of order, but most of these children don’t even have a toilet. I may have had sudsy hair, but at least I have shampoo and safe water to clean it. I may have worn a huge dress, but I can go buy one in the right size. And I have the luxury of having so many shoes that I can’t even tell them apart.
God was with me through the presentation. The words flowed freely from my lips as if I’d never been afraid of speaking publicly. I was confident throughout the presentation.
And after all of that, no one sponsored a child that day — but a seed was planted for God to grow.
I dealt with plenty of inconveniences that morning, but I’m confident that God used them for His purpose.
I learned an important lesson on Compassion Sunday. That this day wasn’t about my hair, my dress, my shoes, my plumbing, or about me at all.
It was all about Jesus.
It was about children who need Jesus. I realize that I live with so many luxuries and so much comfort that these children will probably never experience. I realized that a lot of my “needs” are actually luxuries.
God used this day to show me that I am so blessed to have temporary inconveniences. It’s time to re-evaluate my life and my expenses to see how I can do more.
I will be an advocate for these children wherever I am invited, whether many children get sponsored or none do, because it really is all about Jesus.
This is how I will serve God, and how I will make Compassion available to others who want to serve Him through this ministry.
I am delighted to know that what I am doing for these children through Compassion I am also doing for Jesus.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Beverly Yearwood became a sponsor in 2011 and an Advocate in 2012. She sponsors two children and is a correspondent sponsor for three more. She lives with her family in Vicksburg, Miss.
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I loved your story! Am praying and looking forward to presenting my first Compassion Sunday. So many opportunities–just waiting for God to lead the way.
What a great blog! I agree with Rebecca. I think the devil continually tries to throw things at us to prevent us from taking up this cause. I constantly have to fight to keep him away my ministry of being an advocate.
Thanks, Beverly. I’m assisting at a Compassion Sunday this weekend. Your post is a great reminder of what we’re REALLY doing and who its REALLY all about when we work an event on behalf of the children
Beverly, thank you so much for your post. I am going to be doing a Compassion “Saturday” at a men’s group at our church next month and I can totally identify with your nervousness and hopes and desire to encourage others to become sponsors. It is so hard to let it go and turn it over to the Lord, but that is exactly what we have to do and to trust in Him. Your post is a great reminder that He will use us, somehow, someway, even with soapy hair and mismatched shoes. You have planted seeds and I hope that I will also be able to plant at least one seed in one heart if nothing else, and that the Lord will use it for His purposes.
P.S. On the day of my presentation I hope that our shower does not back up and that my shoes match but if not I will joyfully — truly joyfully — I will think of your experience and praise God!
wow, just wow, I loved this post. I hope to be a good advocate as lately it seems like I could do so much more. thanks for the reminder that it is all about Him and planting seeds that He will grow. great job on your Compassion Sunday.
I laughed and cried! What an awesome testimony!
Beverly, I love your post. And, as an advocate, you amaze me. I hope I can be at least half the advocate you are for these precious little ones. Hugs and Blessings from PA!
Nikki, God is going to do great things for these children through you. I know your heart is full of passion for this ministry and you are obedient to his call. We will cheer one another on and see lives changed!
Sounds like something really didn’t want you to be at the event that morning. Good for you! Keep up the great work!
We had Compassion Sunday at my church every April and I never thought to much about it. While working on the sound equipment during the week I saw the box of child packets on the table in the entry. As I walked by to get to the sound room I stopped and saw the box and said hmmm I’ll just take a look. I found a cute little girl from Thailand. I could not put her packet back and sponsored her. 9 years later I have 5 children now and it has been a life changing event.
What a wonderful post, Beverly! <3
The night before my first Compassion Sunday, I had a dream where every possible bad thing that could happen, did. I was badly dressed, tripped over wires, forgot what I was saying, stuttered, and generally made a fool of myself. When I woke up, I was momentarily mortified and then realized that, no matter what happened, it wouldn't be THAT bad.
I love your attitude. You're right, you are planting seeds and God knows when the fruit will be ready to harvest!
Michelle, your “blogging” seeds grew an advocate in me! Thanks for your encouraging blogs.
Bev, wonderful post! You are so right, it is about Jesus!
Beverly, I love your post! It is all about keeping things in perspective. It sure is disappointing when we have an event that we have spent time planning and no children are sponsored. But you are right, it is all about Jesus and His timing. The seeds were planted and in the right time, the people that God has chosen will come forward and sponsor children. Keep at it!
Beverly, what wonderful faith you have. It would have been so easy to get discouraged after all that you went through and no children sponsored. You are an inspiration to me and, I believe, many other Advocates. Thank you for the work you are doing for God’s Kingdom!
Hi, Beverly, this is a very good blog. I’m so sorry that everything did go wrong that morning. You’re absolutely right. Things like that happen in a lot of the countries where we sponsor children all the time, but then because of just really bad plumbing, and that’s with people that have money, so it happens all the time. A shower is a luxury a lot of children don’t really get….
I’m so proud of you for speaking up for those children. Keep doing it. Children will get sponsored. Just last week, I spoke in a church. It wasn’t a Compassion Sunday. I spoke on a different topic, but someone told me afterwards that they had sponsored a child, after the Compassion Sunday that I had give a month or two before that. They were so excited, that they were going to see the child in October and they even had the child’s number memorized!!!! Then the week before that, someone walked up to me and asked me if I could find them a child to sponsor. I had talked with him from time to time for over 2 years.
And you had a HUGE honor in representing these dear children. I’m so proud of you!!!! The great cloud of witnesses of Hebrews is applauding for you and cheering you on!!!!
Hello Kees! Thanks so much for mentoring me and teaching me how to find sponsors for these children. I recently had a very successful sponsorship drive for a specific project (UG436) using the tools you’ve taught me. I continue to look to you for guidence and now I am mentoring new advocates! Thanks so much! God bless you:)
Hi, Beverly, Thank you so much!!! I believe you’ll find many sponsors for children, primarily because you have such a large heart for the children. This will speak volumes!!! Don’t ever hesitate to ask me if I can be of any help to you.
Beverly, I love this post! You are so right about what is truly important!
Hey Lindy! You have been such a blessing to me in this ministry. Thank you for devoting yourself to prayer for these children and for the constant encouragement that you support me with. Thank you for your friendship.