blessings

Violence is tightly weaved into this culture we have been a part of this week. My understanding of love has become so much deeper than what it was before. I ended up with a swollen lip because a first grader punched me for taking away her hot chips after she misbehaved. It wasn’t personal toward me, that was just her normal way of coping with anger. I couldn’t feel an ounce of frustration because of how much love I had. I got to hold her in my arms for an hour whispering better ways of handling the situation as she slowly calmed down.

I wish I could say there is no more room for bitterness and hatred and the world’s arms only open for love and acceptance. I wish I could say discriminations against race and culture did not exist, that they were unknown to every beating heart. I wish I could say that cursing and discouraging words have never been spoken or even thought of, because love wiped away the uncleanliness.

The biggest blessing is that love has wiped away all the uncleanliness from many hearts and many lives. I spent my Spring Break with a group of amazing kids because I loved them too much to turn my head toward the sinful culture. I got to inspire, I got to create many desires for good, I got to serve and work and love like crazy.

It all ended with a kiss on my hurt lip and an “I love you mama.” These kids are walking blessings, I wish I could love on them for the rest of my life.

“And as for you, never tire of doing what is right” 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Kid talk was our idea of a Vacation Bible School. A lot of the kids all over the community found their way to the church doors and waited until one of our guys opened up the building. It was great to watch them pour into a place that would teach them all about love and grace and acceptance, three things they desperately needed to hear.

If I were to lie to you, I would say that I never experienced an amount of exhaustion on this trip and I always had the perfect mindset toward everyone.

So I might have experienced frustration when a whole glass of kool-aid was spilt on me or when a girl screamed about how much she hated me, then ran out of the room. I might have been a little put out with people because you can only run on adrenaline for so long. But my God said, never tire of doing what is right. And so while I am chasing after a girl who hates me and cleaning up puddles of kool-aid I would remind myself of why I was here. I came down to the Delta to serve these kids and serve the amazing family who has been ministering in this area for a few years.

I have never felt so much love for a crowd of screaming children until this week. It is incredible that they let me love on them and tell them how much I see in them over and over. I have gotten so close to the children in this area and I wish I could adopt every single one. It is a blessing to be here and serve the God of the universe.