responsibility

sometimes it is impossible to understand the weight of situations until you have come face to face with those that have lived through it.

the story of itsaph is just one of the many stories that i heard this morning about living as a refugee. it broke my heart when she told us of how she had to leave everything that she had – her friends, surroundings, possessions, and luxurious lifestyle, to flee for her life. she told us of how hard it was to adapt to a strange country where she knew nobody and had nothing. she also shared of many other refugee stories...stories of suffering...brutality...tragedy...and death. i felt humbled as i listened further about the condition of many refugee camps...the violence...disease...hopelessness...and danger that i had never imagined to be in a place of "refuge". it made me feel guilty for having ever complained that what i had was not enough, for what i have is far more than what many people on the other side of the world have ever had or might ever have in their entire lifetime.

as i thought about what i can do with the resources, skills, experiences, and opportunities i've been given, brooke fraser's song, "albertine" played on repeat in my mind and the following lyrics rest on my heart...

now that i have seen, i am responsible
faith without deeds is dead

blessed to be a blessing. that is what i want to be.