Confession. I’ve struggled with compassion over the devastating situation in Haiti.
I know, I must sound heartless. Where is Jesus in me if I’m numb to the news? I’ve asked myself that very question and fervently prayed for God to prick my heart, squeeze it to awaken.
Waves of guilt pressed down. I reached out to a friend to save me from my own drowning. We talked and she could relate. Maybe you can, too?
I’ve allowed myself to become detached, numb. My heart is a tender one that has desired to help every need I see. I cry deep tears of Holy Spirit grief. I am overwhelmed by the love of God and his provision, while in a hurricane of confusion of ‘this not my home’ place I live, for the time being.
My head is flooded with questions and I’ve avoided my heart. I don’t want to confront self-righteousness and pride that are encamped.
Pressing in, I go to the throne room, freely allowing the images of death, destruction, and complete devastation to wash over my heart, to penetrate my spirit. God meets me there, in the deepest of deep. Darkness will not overcome.
I cried watching men digging with their hands for hours to rescue a 13 year old girl from tons of concrete that used to be her home. I am changed.
I’m exhausted from Cope. He has been a sneaky, stealthy four letter word. Long ago I gazed at him shiny and new, so appealing to my emotion. Cope would make me feel better about myself. I bought the jumbo pack. But Cope only left a bad after-taste and made me sick to my stomach. The promise on the package lied.
I’m tired of substitutions and I want Hope.
I found Hope. . .in you, beaming out.
“I lay in bed last night wondering if there was anything that I could do to help, even in a small way and God gave me the idea for this Web site. It may not be much, and I’m not sure how successful any of this will be – but when you have nothing, a little bit can mean a lot!”
This is the heart of Jenny Butler from Simply Delightful Designs. She’s created Hope for Haiti. I love to see the love of Jesus in action! We’re joining in, won’t you?
There are individual raffles of beautiful things from people you know like Lisa Leonard Designs, Sarah Mae, The Pink Giraffe, Half Pint House, and soon to be from a site called (in)courage. All money raised from the raffles will be donated to two organizations – The American Red Cross and Compassion.
Will you give Hope to Haiti?
Leave a Comment
What a wonderful idea!
Cxx
I understand your vulnerability, dear sister. I posted my own therapy on the subject as well. I’m so thankful that the Spirit intercedes for us with our groans and questions. Crying and hoping with you, Stephanie.
I just wrote a post on this very thing and how I’m helping. http://lampuntomyfeetandalightuntomypath.blogspot.com/2010/01/blessing-others-in-crisis.html
Oh My Goodness!
This post has brought tears to my eyes…I believe that it is because you have met me where I am…Sometimes with the magnitude of despair, I feel so small thank you for your words of hope…real hope…Hope in Jesus!
blessings,
renee’
Precious Holy Spirit. Beautiful Throne Room. So needed in times such as this.
Ya know…sometimes we are numb in the beginning…because it’s almost unbelievable. Even though we aren’t there…we still feel shock too. I was the same way at first. Then I watched an hour of news about it and I started to cry as well. We had a long discussion with the family about it and are looking at Compassion as the charity we will support.
Very well said and I couldn’t agree more. My heart is bigger than my purse sometimes.
But when people come together, it all makes a difference.
Great post.
Hi Stephanie — Thanks sharing in your response — and finding the link! Its a reminder that even if it doesn’t look like our good intentions would add up to much – we can be blessed in reflecting and renewing our thoughts.
[…] Friday Words of Faith – Hope for Haiti January 15, 2010 By Jamee Leave a Comment This week I had planned to write today’s devotional myself but after receiving today’s email from (in)courage I knew that there was no way that I would be able to put into words my heart for Haiti as eloquently as Stephanie, who is one of the co-founders of (in)courage, as she wrote Hope for Haiti. […]