Ashleigh with some of the kids she worked with on her mission trip to Rio GrandeToday I was reminded of His grace and love for EVERYONE. It is my job to not only love on my kids that so desperately need it, but to guide them. "Love them like Jesus...Carry Them to Him. His yoke is easy. His burden is light. We don't need the answers to all of life's questions. Just tell them He loves them. Stay by their side and love them like Jesus"
Over the past day He has started to open my eyes to a new ministry approach. Anxious???...Yes I am. Overwhelmed??? You bet cha. Trusting in Him???...completely. I am nothing and He is all. He is all knowing, all powerful, always present, always active, and always in control. He is love. He is joy...and...He is peace. Without Him...my life would be meaningless. He is my hope, my friend, but most of all He is my savior.
As a believer I am called to be a light to this dark world. He has called me to take up my cross and follow Him no matter what the cost is. He's reminded me how much I really do need Him along with the rest of the world.
I want to know Him. Not just know who he is, what he's like, what's he's done. I want to KNOW him. I want my kids to KNOW him.
My heart breaks for those kids who have given up hope. Who don't see the light. Who don't know him and feel helpless. And I anger because on countless occassions I do nothing to show His grace and mercy to them. I should be living it. I should be pouring Him out in all situations to them.
Do I? No......not all the time! I let myself get in the way. I also hurt because I want to take those babies who don't ever hear I love you and aren't held and love them.I want to because He does.
I want my girls out there that don't feel loved and beautiful to know that they are. To know that they are more precious than rubies. They are His creation. He wants them to be called His daughters... Princesses of the Most High. I want them to walk away from bad situations and relationships and walk into His arms! Strive to be Proverbs 31 women.
I want the guys to grow into young men of Him. Not young men of the street who turn to violence and crime to feel a sense of belonging, power, and fufillment. Because of this hurt and this anger I am determined to step it up like He has called me to do and to challenge you to do the same. We can train up a generation for Christ if we set ourselves aside and just run hard after Him....live radically and SERVE.
We must Know Him and make Him Known!
But the coolest part about the whole deal is that we really aren't doing anything. He is doing it all and just using us to do it. What an honor to be used by Him. To get to be His hands and feet...not because we have done anything to deserve that, but simply because He wanted it to be that way. He is sovereign, majestic and loving. Just my thoughts :). Pray it up!
Hood Kids
hood kids
but good kids
not bad kids
just misunderstood kids
watch mom shoot up
and dad shoot bullets
and combat the words
that scream I'm useless
I'm not
just hot
and mad at dad who split
and mom who took him back
even though he split
her lip the third time
I watch from the sideline
and grow full of hate
from parents' guidelines
and you, pastor
push me faster
to hate
taking our crumbs to fill
you already full plate
your frock is stained
you mock the name
of He who commissioned
cuz you're more concerned
with titles and pensions
don't forget the babies
don't be so lazy
cuz I need you greatly
it's not about parking spots
and who pays a lot
but who gives a lot
and who prays a lot
for me
the lost sheep
but nobody's looked for me
don't you know God made
the Good Book for me?
but I need direction
some protection
much affection
not rejection
I.NEED.YOU
man of God
woman of God
be of God
and keep your eyes peeled
for real
we're crying
and dying
but still trying
though momma ignores us
and daddy abuses us
I'm sure that God still
wants to use us
when momma doesn't hug us
and daddy slugs us
I'm confident that God
still loves us
cuz I'm a hood kid
but a good kid
not a bad kid
just misunderstood kid
and I need your help
before it's too late
and I walk the same path
that my parents made
look at us
behind the chain linked fence
pain wrenched kids
such tainted kids
who were struck
but never fainted kids
we live hellish lives
but can be saintly kids
if you just TRY!
until then
we'll continue to die
continue to cry
the hood kids
that no one really cares about
it's so obvious that no one
really cares about 'em.
Will YOU care for him? Will YOU love her when she doesn't act quite right? Will YOU be patient and affectionate towards him? Will YOU hug her and her parents? Will YOU do whatever it takes to present the Truth in a way he can understand and grasp?
Will YOU at least try?
