A letter from MOPS

Mothering Maxim -a weekly e-mail from

MOPS international

Hope is putting faith to work when doubting would be easier.
(Unknown)

Mom Moment

Twinkle

By Elisa Morgan, President & CEO

We live in a dark world. The events surrounding the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina continue to amaze us all. Families without food or shelter or water. Whole communities devastated. Mothers and children separated by waves of destruction and even death. And the human response of heroism on the one hand and utter depravity on the other.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, one woman took it upon herself to form a flashlight drive. She sent truckloads of flashlights and batteries to Florida because she didn't want people to be trapped in the darkness of night when there was no electricity in the area.

We all want to do something. To make a difference. To help. We can bring light into the darkness. As Paul writes in Philippians 2:15, we can "...shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life..." We can twinkle.

What does that mean? What would it mean for us to twinkle?

Twinkling means praying and praying and praying for those lives that have been changed beyond recognition.

Twinkling means sending in a donation to a relief organization, doing our part financially.

Twinkling is standing against our very human tendencies toward selfishness and greed in the face of fear or when we feel out of control.

Twinkling is remembering that what we have known to be true in the light is still true in the dark:

-God is present even in the worst moments of life.
-As God has been faithful in the past, he will be faithful in the future.
-God can bring good out of even the most devastating occurrences.

Yes, we live in a dark world. But take heart and take hope. God is light. And his light is in us. When we shine his light into our world, our light changes the very nature of darkness. Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Prayer From a Mother's Heart

Dear God, help me to twinkle and shine to those around me so that the Hope that is you can be seen by all.

At MOPS International our hearts, our thoughts, and our prayers surround the families affected by Hurricane Katrina, particularly those who are at the same time caring for young children. As we deal individually, and corporately, with the question "What can we do?" we recommend your support of the following relief organizations that are equipped to respond quickly and effectively: Salvation Army USA and Samaritan's Purse.