5000 Acts

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King Jr. 

I initially had no desire or intention of writing about this weeks World Vision situation. There are many that already have and I really have nothing else to offer. To those that have no idea what I am talking about and don't feel like reading an article to catch up, I will try to sum it up. World Vision, one of the largest international relief organizations, announced this week that they had changed their policy and were now hiring employees who were in gay marriages. 

Richard Sterns, the CEO of World Vision, wrote "The Hole in the Gospel" which has had a profound impact on my life. I had no idea that World Vision had such a policy, but I was pleased to hear that they were changing it. But I was shocked by what occurred in the days that followed.

I was not surprised by the Christian right and their open disdain on social media with their cry of "Love the sinner, hate the sin." I was not surprised by the support of World Vision from bloggers like Rachel Held Evans and Kristen Howerton or the call for peace in the response by Jen Hatmaker. 

But when I learned that World Vision had reversed it's decision, I could not believe it. But the shock, the real shock came when I discovered that within 24 hours of the decision somewhere between 2000 and 5000 people dropped their child sponsorship at World Vision. Their CHILD sponsorship. The child they were praying for, providing water, food and an education for. My heart pounds right now that so many, so quickly, responded this way. 

I do not write today to influence your stance on gay marriage. But I am writing because I am sad. Heartbroken really. And with this heartbreak I feel a call from the spirit to do something. To show a different face to what it means to be a Christ follower,  "to love your neighbor as yourself". When somewhere around 5000 people chose to make a point over the love of a child, I believe they chose hate. And I want to choose love. I want to be a part of 5000 acts of kindness to others. And I hope to not be doing it alone. Let's rally love towards others in the coming days and together create 5000 acts. 

Maybe you choose to sponsor a child, make cookies for a neighbor or call a friend you haven't talked to in years. It doesn't matter what the response, just as long as you are choosing love. 

Together, let's start a list! Ways you can share:

1. Email or message me if you would like your acts to remain anonymous
2. Comment below
3. Post on twitter or instagram with #5000acts
4. Share on facebook and tell us how you showed love today 

*Our list can also include how we have received love from others! 

 Once we reach 5000, I will post all the ways we can show love to others. Will you please join me?