My heart has been in turn panicked, broken, scared, hopeful, heartened and a myriad of other things this week as I watch the country fight over the rights of immigrant families to remain together once they come to this country. There is so much fear involved on both sides.

 

This week I have given in to fear. I let it paralyze me.

 

I pictured sweet Charlie being rolled away from me in his wheelchair, unable to make himself understood to those now in charge, crying and signing for me and someone forgetting to check if his diaper needed changing because yes, he is six, but still cannot use the toilet. I pictured him unable to eat, because not even those who know him and love him can get him to do that like I can. I pictured him unable to sleep because he does not have his favorite blanket or me to say his goodnight prayers.

 

This alone had me crying at night and kissing their chins and eyebrows and noses. And it had me silent. The emotions were so big they got stuck in my throat—a horse pill of fear.

But then something happened. I went to bed Monday night and prayed a prayer of silence. No words, just pure emotion aimed in the general direction of my ceiling and up through to the sky. It took a while in this state to let it all drain out, but eventually it did.

 

And when it did, it left a place for rational thought. And the thoughts that came were Scripture:

 

PSALM 82:3-4

³ Defend the weak and the fatherless;
    uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
⁴ Rescue the weak and the needy;
    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

 

MATHEW 18:10

¹⁰ See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

 

1 TIMOTHY 2:1-2

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

 

JEREMIAH 22:16

“He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
    and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know me?”
    declares the Lord.

 

So many good words came to mind that they crowded out fear and replaced them with hope, which led to action.

 

I began to pray for our leaders and for the immigrants and the children and for my own fluttery heart, and then I asked everyone I knew to call senators and donate to the organizations responsible for protecting children. I am and will always be in the business of protecting children. If this makes me political, then so be it, which is a scary thing to say in a world throwing political stances around like battering rams.

 

I do not want my message to be a battering ram. I want it to be a life raft. I have to believe that is what God calls all of us to be no matter what side of the fence we stand on. We have to be the life raft, the rescuers for those in need of rescue. This, ultimately, is our call as Christians—to exchange fear for hope and to use that hope to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

 

Sunday Thoughts Link Up

It’s time for another Sunday Thoughts Link-Up! I know there are many out there with wisdom that could encourage all of us. As long as it’s faith-based, I’d love for you to join up and then read and comment on what others have shared. Please also leave a comment here. Think of this as a Sunday morning community group that comes to you. And grab the button if you like…

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