Some lyrics from the song “Rest in You” by All Sons and Daughters have been on my heart lately and I wanted to share them with you all:
“You cannot change, Yet You change everything”
We make mistakes. Our faith waivers. We fall short. Our heart changes. We sin.
We are constantly changing, yet He never does.
His love is constant. His grace is constant. His hope is constant. His strength is constant. His peace is constant.
We went to an orphanage on Monday for children ages five and under. We were playing outside with some of the kids when our taxi driver, Jonathan, pulled up to take us back to our cottage. As we were driving, we could sense something was heavy on Jonathan’s heart. When we pulled up to our driveway, we asked him if everything was okay. He broke down and said “I live here and I didn’t even know this place (the orphanage) existed. How can I live here and not even know about that?” Then there was silence and a heaviness in the air as tears started to stream down Jonathan’s face. We were able to pray with him and encourage him in the Lord, but man it was tough. I could see the hurt in his eyes for these children. I could see the weight on his shoulders for these children who don’t have a family. I felt that hurt and weight, too. Some days it’s so hard. Hard to see children without a family, hard to understand why, and hard to grasp the state of the country we are in. Those are the days I lean even more into those lyrics, “You cannot change, yet You change everything.”
Seeing Jonathan’s heart reminded me of our Father’s heart. He doesn’t want his children to suffer. Moment by moment, He is changing every situation for the good. He is never changed, yet always changing. The children in the orphanage have God as their Heavenly Father, but I believe they will eventually have a family here on earth. The country of Zimbabwe is in the midst of some hard times, but I believe the people are going to come out stronger than ever. The world is broken, but He makes all things new.
Jonathan’s love and compassion is so genuine. We need more Jonathan’s. People who don’t just go through the motions and forget others when they aren’t on duty anymore. People who stop and acknowledge what’s surrounding them. People who don’t just skim the surface. People who let the hard stuff hit them and aren’t afraid to show it.
My heart is heavy for the children all over the world who don’t have families, for the people of Zimbabwe, and for the brokenness in the world, but the constant love of Christ overcomes that heaviness with hope.
Let yourself be interruptible this week, the moments that aren’t pre-planned are often the most valuable.
love & prayers,
Amber
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
