From June of 2014.

Once again, their names are written on the front page.  Once again, the pixels on the screen make up an image that words are not enough to justify of the injustice and tragic that has taken place, and the unraveling of what will be required to mend it all.

I have been volunteering with an amazing group of people joined together with their compassion for refugees.  Today, in a mere 4 hours (in addition to the many hours put in to prepare), World Refugee Day was celebrated in Houston.  I met people from Congo, as they offered me cassava, with a joy as obvious as their smiles against their dark skin.

I volunteered as an administrator for the temporary shelter simulation for some time, and I got to speak with a few refugees and others who have physically helped some families who were once held in the strict refugee camp environment.

As I said good-byes to the 2 volunteers I had been with, the woman was sharing with me how it was still hard for her to play her role, as someone who hasn't really been through the experience.  She shared how knowing someone's reality, only in a general sense, just simply cannot equate to if this life was her own reality.

There are so many more stories. So many still making their way to preserve their life...Lord be their rod and staff.

It is undeniable that there will always be those moments in our lives that leave a more lasting impression when compared to others.  Maybe that moment had an extra dose of hope or humor. Other times memorable for other reasons.  At this very moment, without giving it much thought at this time of the night, I don't know how it all comes together really.  Sometimes it does get quite tiring trying to think about it all and figuring out what part God has for me to play, just to make sure i have a part to play.

Memory is a funny thing. Let me be satisfied in You.

Wouldn't days be lived differently, more fully with Him if we only realize that there won't be another day like today for his mercy is anew?

I recall the moments my old roommate and friend would discuss about the questions they wrestle with. And I sat there one time listening to them talk about how they don't understand evil in this world and there I was struck that I haven't even thought about this to their degree of zeal and passion. I was convicted about how little I cared about reconciliation in this life time. I became silent. My heart churned. I wrestled with God in my heart.

Cure for Indecisiveness.

I am indecisive. I think others can testify too if they get to know me in this season of life. It's not a quality I particularly like, and it is definitely something I want to change. maybe it's a holy and sanctifying discontentment that causes me to want to rid of this habit, thought process, or decision-making process. Whatever you have it.

I asked the Lord to reveal my heart about this. And i was led to this conclusion for the time being.

I am comforted and humbled as he did. in my indecision, he sees my heart deep down. I am stumbling and tumbling, picking my feet up by his hand as I try not to make any hasty decision. There are tim we s when wisdom calls for a timely decision. But in this season, i want to be tested in my dependence on my will, my heart, and my dependence. I do not want to make a hasty decision and instead want to get in a habit of acknowledging the Lord in my decisions, especially those that will affect how aligned my heart will be to his. And I want to be sanctified in this day to day. I desire His peace. Because while the rest of this world is living in fear, many from wandering, and many more by oppression, we need to be the ones to show the world that Christ, the One whom we love because He loved us first, is the Prince of Peace, and he has come to save. And has overcome the world. Are we ready to stand our grounds in love in face of fear? Or stand in the gap, or intercede, for another living in despair and fear?

Wake your church up once again to the reality of our world and the reality of who You are today.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2015/sep/04/syrian-refugees-pack-for-the-crossing-to-europe-crisis