Sometimes the amount of brokenness in the world just makes me want to run and hide. Selfishly, I long to be ignorant again. . .to be unaware of the pain and suffering that is all around me.
This week has been rough. Our church family lost a dearly loved Atlanta Police Officer. Having just spoken to her last Sunday and then handing out memorial ribbons this Sunday . . . how quickly life can change takes my breath away.
A close childhood friend lost her grandfather this weekend. I talked to her this past week and they were expecting at least a few more weeks, but they were only given a few more days. Nothing about life is predictable.
I read this blog today and I'm reminded that there are people without friends or families to comfort them and I'm sad that I've forgotten. That they've been forgotten.
I see a piece about foster children in Georgia on the news and my heart breaks, thinking about these children without a home. Children every day that are aging out of the system and don't have a family, a mentor or even a place to call home - no where to go.
I remember that there are over 500,000 children in foster care right now and 120,000 of those are ready to be adopted and are just waiting for a family. Children are without families. Then I get angry because I remember that there are over 320,000 churches in America and there are STILL children without families. If 2 families out of each church in America fostered or adopted a child. . .there would be no more children in America without a home.
I listen to the radio and I hear a woman talk about the redemption she has found in Jesus and that now she knows the hope of LIFE and she says LIFE like its the biggest gift she's ever been given because she knows what DEATH feels like and I choke up, because I take life for granted all of the time.
I feel paralyzed by it sometimes. . .there is only one of me and the sheer vastness of need makes me feel like I'm defeated before I've even started. . .but I know that's not true. I know God will give me the strength to play the role He wants me to play and I can only hope that my eyes stay open. That I never forget.
"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed" Luke 4:18
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families.” Psalm 68:5-6a
“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isa 41:10