Serenity
God grant me the serenity to accept the
things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to
know the difference.
Today has been a bit of a struggle for me. I've been asking God why, which is never an encouraging way to spend the day. It all started with a little boy at the social orphanage. Last week, he was a little wild, so I just scooped him up, and held him in my lap, while Ed told the Bible Story. As we sat, this little boy just melted into my arms, sat quietly, and listened. So this week, as soon as I sat down in the classroom, he was climbing into my lap, and started to just talk to me.
He told me how everyone had gotten picked up this weekend and got to go home for the holiday Ukraine just celebrated. This social orphanage we go to, the kids live and go to school in one place. Their parents either are incarcerated, too poor to care for their child, or a single parent. Some people put their kids in this "school" so that they can work abroad. It is really not fair to the kids, but the way life is... Anyways, on holidays and weekends, the children are allowed to go home if someone from their family picks them up. Well this little boy has no one to pick him up and take him home. It just breaks my heart. But what really got me was when he asked me if I would take him home. Sadly laws here do not allow foreigners that privilege, and much less a single person like me, but I wish I could. All I could do for him today, was give him a big hug, and let him sit on my lap.
And a beautiful moment came where he asked me about Jesus, so I got to tell him. I just pray for this little boys protection. My heart breaks for these kids. And the fact that 70% statistically will have something bad happen to them, rather they will be trafficked, become drug abusers or alcoholics. All this pain awaits them, and they are so young, and already have experienced such intense pains.
But this is why I and my mom who started the ministry at the school, do what we do. The only thing that can conquer the pains of this world is Love, the Love of God. And a second moment today...
I mentioned in an earlier post that a homeless man (Mikola) from the poor ministry accepted Christ a couple weeks back... Well he begs at a church that is on one of my normal walking routes. So I have made the habit to stop and talk to Mikola whenever I walk by, normally buying him a juice and snack, and just some light conversation. Well today, I met my dad for supper, and Mikola was out. So My dad bought him supper. Well while my dad was buying the meal, I was waiting outside, talking with him. Mikola was telling me about his life. The places he has been too when he was in the military. I asked him if he had any family, and he got a sad face, and shook his head no. He told me how his wife had died many years ago. And he is missing many teeth, and speaks russian, so I had a hard time following all the details, but he told me that he sleeps at the train station... But at the end of his story, he just stopped, smiled, and said hey life is okay.
Amazing, that a man with such a life, can have an attitude like this. Again, I just ask God why, and the prayer above comes to mind... God grant me the serenity to accept that which I can not change. There is so much in the world, so much pain and hurt and such a great need, and I just want to change it all... Help everyone, but the fact is I can't. But I can have the courage to change the things I can. Mikola has only one outfit, and its this heavy sweater, which is very dirty. And he felt embarrassed about coming to church in dirty clothes. So that is something I can help with. I plan to go buy him another outfit, a lighter one for the summer, and I told him that I could wash his other stuff. Its not much, but it will make a difference for him. And with my little friend at the social orphanage, I may not be able to take him home, but for the hour that I get to see him, I can show God's love and answer his questions. It may not be much in the grand scheme of life, but it is what God has called me too.
The last part of that prayer is for God to grant wisdom for me to know the difference. I can't look at the world and become so overwhelmed with all the hurt there is. Yes my heart should break for that which breaks God's heart, but at the same time, I can't let heart break turn into idleness and pity. If I see a need, I have to seek wisdom as to how to handle that need. And I want to be found faithful in the small, day to day things, and with God's grace, I will have the wisdom to do just that! I hope that wherever you are in the world that you take a moment and think about all the hurt and pain people are going through. You might even be experiencing pain yourself. Just remember that God see's you. God see's the needs of this world, and his heart breaks more than we could ever imagine. And when we ask God why he allows things like abandonment, and homelessness to happen, God's reply for all of us is, why are we not doing more to make a difference.
If we are the body of Christ, we are to be that light to the world, we are to be hope, healing, and love to all we meet. Being a missionary does not mean you have to have this great bank account, or to have huge evangelistic services, it just means that whatever God sets before you to do, you do your best to do it. And we are all called to missions in our own ways. You are the body. I am the body. What are you doing to make a difference? Please be praying for the Orphanage, as we only have a few more times there this school year.
Please pray for Mikola, and others on the streets of L'viv. And please pray for me, that God will grant me wisdom, and that I may bring glory to His name in all that I do. And I am praying for each of you. Thank you for viewing this blog. For praying for me. For financially making it possible for me to be here. For notes, comments, letters and boxes that encourage and refresh me, thank you. I hope you are encourage to be actively seeking ways to serve God, because together, as the body, we can make difference!
Today has been a bit of a struggle for me. I've been asking God why, which is never an encouraging way to spend the day. It all started with a little boy at the social orphanage. Last week, he was a little wild, so I just scooped him up, and held him in my lap, while Ed told the Bible Story. As we sat, this little boy just melted into my arms, sat quietly, and listened. So this week, as soon as I sat down in the classroom, he was climbing into my lap, and started to just talk to me.
He told me how everyone had gotten picked up this weekend and got to go home for the holiday Ukraine just celebrated. This social orphanage we go to, the kids live and go to school in one place. Their parents either are incarcerated, too poor to care for their child, or a single parent. Some people put their kids in this "school" so that they can work abroad. It is really not fair to the kids, but the way life is... Anyways, on holidays and weekends, the children are allowed to go home if someone from their family picks them up. Well this little boy has no one to pick him up and take him home. It just breaks my heart. But what really got me was when he asked me if I would take him home. Sadly laws here do not allow foreigners that privilege, and much less a single person like me, but I wish I could. All I could do for him today, was give him a big hug, and let him sit on my lap.
And a beautiful moment came where he asked me about Jesus, so I got to tell him. I just pray for this little boys protection. My heart breaks for these kids. And the fact that 70% statistically will have something bad happen to them, rather they will be trafficked, become drug abusers or alcoholics. All this pain awaits them, and they are so young, and already have experienced such intense pains.
But this is why I and my mom who started the ministry at the school, do what we do. The only thing that can conquer the pains of this world is Love, the Love of God. And a second moment today...
I mentioned in an earlier post that a homeless man (Mikola) from the poor ministry accepted Christ a couple weeks back... Well he begs at a church that is on one of my normal walking routes. So I have made the habit to stop and talk to Mikola whenever I walk by, normally buying him a juice and snack, and just some light conversation. Well today, I met my dad for supper, and Mikola was out. So My dad bought him supper. Well while my dad was buying the meal, I was waiting outside, talking with him. Mikola was telling me about his life. The places he has been too when he was in the military. I asked him if he had any family, and he got a sad face, and shook his head no. He told me how his wife had died many years ago. And he is missing many teeth, and speaks russian, so I had a hard time following all the details, but he told me that he sleeps at the train station... But at the end of his story, he just stopped, smiled, and said hey life is okay.
Amazing, that a man with such a life, can have an attitude like this. Again, I just ask God why, and the prayer above comes to mind... God grant me the serenity to accept that which I can not change. There is so much in the world, so much pain and hurt and such a great need, and I just want to change it all... Help everyone, but the fact is I can't. But I can have the courage to change the things I can. Mikola has only one outfit, and its this heavy sweater, which is very dirty. And he felt embarrassed about coming to church in dirty clothes. So that is something I can help with. I plan to go buy him another outfit, a lighter one for the summer, and I told him that I could wash his other stuff. Its not much, but it will make a difference for him. And with my little friend at the social orphanage, I may not be able to take him home, but for the hour that I get to see him, I can show God's love and answer his questions. It may not be much in the grand scheme of life, but it is what God has called me too.
The last part of that prayer is for God to grant wisdom for me to know the difference. I can't look at the world and become so overwhelmed with all the hurt there is. Yes my heart should break for that which breaks God's heart, but at the same time, I can't let heart break turn into idleness and pity. If I see a need, I have to seek wisdom as to how to handle that need. And I want to be found faithful in the small, day to day things, and with God's grace, I will have the wisdom to do just that! I hope that wherever you are in the world that you take a moment and think about all the hurt and pain people are going through. You might even be experiencing pain yourself. Just remember that God see's you. God see's the needs of this world, and his heart breaks more than we could ever imagine. And when we ask God why he allows things like abandonment, and homelessness to happen, God's reply for all of us is, why are we not doing more to make a difference.
If we are the body of Christ, we are to be that light to the world, we are to be hope, healing, and love to all we meet. Being a missionary does not mean you have to have this great bank account, or to have huge evangelistic services, it just means that whatever God sets before you to do, you do your best to do it. And we are all called to missions in our own ways. You are the body. I am the body. What are you doing to make a difference? Please be praying for the Orphanage, as we only have a few more times there this school year.
Please pray for Mikola, and others on the streets of L'viv. And please pray for me, that God will grant me wisdom, and that I may bring glory to His name in all that I do. And I am praying for each of you. Thank you for viewing this blog. For praying for me. For financially making it possible for me to be here. For notes, comments, letters and boxes that encourage and refresh me, thank you. I hope you are encourage to be actively seeking ways to serve God, because together, as the body, we can make difference!
Chelsey,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this posting... You are wise beyond your years my dear :) Keep on keeping on!!!