I am grief stricken.
I can barely concentrate in my job.
I put a movie on the ipad to distract my mind with no success.
My heart and mind are in Syria and the Syrian refugees.
"There is nothing we can do, so I prefer not to read the stories or watch the videos," my brother said.
"There is nothing I can do?" I ask myself.
And so I google "How to help Syria."
Many webpages of relief efforts requesting financial aid pop up.
I can donate money.
$35 can feed a child for two weeks, the page says. I can do something. I don't have much, but I can find from where to give.
Pray for Syria, the World Vision webpage article reads.
The article is very specific on what to pray for, and I feel now I can pray more powerfully for them.
You can even start praying and seeking to destine your donations to help them overcome the coming winter and the necessities they face in the large refugee camps.
I google jobs in the Syrian crisis response.
No jobs available at the moment.
What if I could get a job as a teacher or somehow serving?
Would I move there alone? Would I take my family?
What would my husband say?
I remember when I wanted to march for the injustice our Social Security Hospital had suffered causing the deaths of many of my compatriots, especially children.
My husband said I couldn't go because it was too dangerous.
"But why is my safety more important than my compatriots dying in the hospital without medicine or medical supplies?" I asked him.
And my countryman marched for several weeks without any results.
Injustice won and prevailed.
And I am grief stricken.
And now the Paris attacks are causing countries to close the borders.
And I find these pictures of expectant refugee children surviving next to the closed boundaries in Hungary.
You can do something for Syria.
You can start a fundraiser at your local church.
You can stop sharing images and videos on your Facebook that are outdated, fake, or unrelated to the event your are trying to bring awareness to by being more savvy in what you post and what you believe in the internet.
You can also share stories of love and hope like this one.
You can do something for the children in your own country suffering by volunteering your time here.
I can barely concentrate in my job.
I put a movie on the ipad to distract my mind with no success.
My heart and mind are in Syria and the Syrian refugees.
"There is nothing we can do, so I prefer not to read the stories or watch the videos," my brother said.
"There is nothing I can do?" I ask myself.
And so I google "How to help Syria."
Many webpages of relief efforts requesting financial aid pop up.
I can donate money.
$35 can feed a child for two weeks, the page says. I can do something. I don't have much, but I can find from where to give.
Pray for Syria, the World Vision webpage article reads.
The article is very specific on what to pray for, and I feel now I can pray more powerfully for them.
You can even start praying and seeking to destine your donations to help them overcome the coming winter and the necessities they face in the large refugee camps.
I google jobs in the Syrian crisis response.
No jobs available at the moment.
What if I could get a job as a teacher or somehow serving?
Would I move there alone? Would I take my family?
What would my husband say?
I remember when I wanted to march for the injustice our Social Security Hospital had suffered causing the deaths of many of my compatriots, especially children.
My husband said I couldn't go because it was too dangerous.
"But why is my safety more important than my compatriots dying in the hospital without medicine or medical supplies?" I asked him.
And my countryman marched for several weeks without any results.
Injustice won and prevailed.
And I am grief stricken.
And now the Paris attacks are causing countries to close the borders.
And I find these pictures of expectant refugee children surviving next to the closed boundaries in Hungary.
You can do something for Syria.
You can start a fundraiser at your local church.
You can stop sharing images and videos on your Facebook that are outdated, fake, or unrelated to the event your are trying to bring awareness to by being more savvy in what you post and what you believe in the internet.
You can also share stories of love and hope like this one.
You can do something for the children in your own country suffering by volunteering your time here.
You can grow as true Christ followers and pray for the ones responsible for the war.
Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
You must believe His Word.
“And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet The Еnd. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6).
Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
You must believe His Word.
“And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet The Еnd. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6).
Psalm 90:12, 14-17 Teach us to number our days,that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,for as many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servants,your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 39:4-8 “Show me, Lord, my life’s endand the number of my days;let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth;the span of my years is as nothing before you.Everyone is but a breath,even those who seem secure. “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;in vain they rush about, heaping up wealthwithout knowing whose it will finally be. “But now, Lord, what do I look for?My hope is in you. Save me from all my transgressions;do not make me the scorn of fools.
Psalm 37:1-2, 7-9, 12-13, 20 Do not fret because of those who are evilor be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither,like green plants they will soon die away. Be still before the Lordand wait patiently for him;do not fret when people succeed in their ways,when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed,but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. The wicked plot against the righteousand gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked,for he knows their day is coming. But the wicked will perish:Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
I have been coming home all this week to stare into my daughters eyes. To put the electronic devices down and roll with them in the floor. I have taken walks with them and cry of gratefulness while watching them sleep safe and sound. I have hugged and kissed them more, and have hugged and kissed my husband more. We don't know when our end will come. Will you have used your time well? Would you have lived in gratefulness for what you have or lived regretting what you don't missing out on what you do?
Lord, I am grateful for the third world country I live in.
It is poor, violent, and corrupt.
Dangers lurk in every corner, but until this day we have lived in peace.
Bring peace to the Syrians. May they ever be in my prayers.
May we do more where we can.
May we be Your hands and feet.
May we open our hearts and homes to the needy.
May Your glory be shown.
Amen.
How can I not be eternally grateful for a day with these girls:
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