Entering into Suffering

I saw a little girl on the stairs of the skytrain last night. Dolled up pretty, plastic beads, two pigtails, and a pink dress. Just like any 6 year old would like it. Except, she had a large 7-11 cup in her hand. Begging for money, she.

We're in Bangkok for a few days before heading back to our home in the East. It's supposed to be a few days of "regrouping" as a family, as we like to call it. Busyness can take over our life so easily and we know if we don't mark out time to rest, then we won't do it. But even though I'm in a comfortable restful place this morning, my heart is uneasy.

As I passed this little girl I stopped for a moment and uttered more like a gasp. What's her life going to be like? Where will she go next? With pretty looks like her will they keep her doing what they're asking her to? Will it get worse? I put my hand out over her and prayed for her. Mercy, Lord. Please have mercy. Don't let the darkness overwhelm her. Bring believers into her life to love her. Rescue her, please.

There were a group of vendors selling their wares at the bottom of the stairs. Foreigners mill amidst the locals trying to get their bargains, stuff, souveniers, we call it. Suddenly, my mouth goes dry. I just want to scream. What matters anymore? This little one shouldn't be doing this! At six she should be at home with her mama and daddy.

I know there are many more. The alleys that run off this very busy road are full of them. Except they're just a little older. Young women at bars waiting for what this evening will hold for them. For my kids, my parents, for a future, they say. My grandma, mom and sisters all do this. Does it matter?

God, will there be an end to this madness? This darkness, will it ever stop?

I pray. As Father wakes me in the night I pray. Is there anything else I can do? I believe God is already at work. I know there are other believers in the city also crying out to Him on behalf of the suffering of people. But more need to join in. I need to always be moved to prayer when I see suffering. That should be my response. To walk away and not be moved would indicate my heart is callous and cynical. Keep my heart soft, Lord. Tender towards You and others. Move me to prayer. Help me to enter in to others' suffering.

"I have seen many men work without praying, though I have never seen any good come out of it; but I have never seen a man pray without working." James Hudson Taylor

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Food on my table

I couldn't believe it. They weren't coming until 6pm, for dinner. At least that was the plan. And there they were at our door with smiles on their faces at 10am. This was going to be a long day, I thought to myself. I had woken up that morning with a heavy heart. It was like a dark gloom had settled over me and I couldn't figure out why. John helped me with the morning breakfast routine, we had kids sleeping over and many mouths to feed. I grabbed my cup of coffee and headed to my room. God and I needed to have a chat. I emerged not 20 minutes later with the answer. I knew why I was feeling heavy-hearted. 2011 was going to be a confusing year! Lots of transition, people coming and going, our own comings and goings, kids growing up, and much much more to trust Him for. The cloud lifted after my very quick and simple revelation. God whispered to me almost audibly, "No worries, Jenn. For I will be with you." The doorbell buzzed. E was here. E had been in ou...
Read more

Feelings of irrelevance

What have I done anyways in the last 11 years? Was it worth it? Raising my family in a country that we'll never fit into. Has my life made any difference here? Does anyone care? Questions like these have been plaguing my soul. Feelings of irrelevance have pervaded my heart as of late. What does it matter that I live here? Does it matter? A phone call yesterday tipped me over the edge. A friend whom I have walked with over the few years is coming to a city nearby (she lives far away) I found out through another friend. I'm so thrilled she's coming, but I felt hurt that she didn't call me. I have walked with her through some difficult valleys. She actually was one of my personal deep valleys. She wasn't exactly easy to love! But God used our friendship in each of our lives and I am thankful that our paths crossed for those years. But that's just what happened. They crossed, and now that season is over. How sad is that? My relational heart aches. How many mor...
Read more

It's no secret

There are things in our family that we share as a family and things that my husband and I share with each other only. But one of those things that we share together is the fact that "Mama's not perfect." It's no secret that Mama's not perfect. There is scarcely a day that goes by without me apologizing to one or more of my kids for quick, impatient words. I can't but help wonder sometimes how many counseling sessions they will have to go through in the future over their mama! I can almost hear those conversations in my head! "I know that my mom loved me, but...." As I reflect on my own mom and her example of motherhood in my life, I realize that though she was not perfect, she has impacted my life like no other person except Jesus. A friend of mine asked me yesterday about my mom and what was it that made her special to me. "Mom made the ordinary into special moments." I replied. She created picnics in the living room on rainy nights, s...
Read more