Make Me Desperate

Just as school has started for many students here in the States--a time when classes, extracurriculars, and sports begin--the children at Yahweh Faith are resting from their studies. 

And they--students and teachers alike--have earned it.

After all, the last school session, though successful in many ways, was wrought with challenges. 

Because these children live in poverty, many in unhygienic environments, they struggle with malnutrition, dysentery, sickness, and parasites. 

Still, as Pastor Elijah shared, despite these hardships, they were often found "...singing, dancing, and bouncing with joy!"

And I'm humbled, thinking how little most of us know of such unbridled gratitude.
How much we miss due to our lack of desperation.

Yes, that's what I said--
"How much we miss due to our lack of desperation."

Because when one is desperate, he or she turns with passion to the One who provides. 
She discovers His faithfulness.
He witnesses God's goodness.

Indeed, we experience the miraculous!

May we each come to a place of desperation--whether physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and / or spiritually--where our only place to turn is Jesus.

And may we, like these precious ones now on holiday, be found--
"... singing, dancing, and bouncing with joy!"

Above all, may we come to know, may it be our experience--yes, our story!--that hope comes from God alone, and in our busy lives, may we, too, find rest for our souls.

Jesus, be with each Yahweh Faith student, teacher, and administrator. Thank you for all they gleaned during the last school session, and help them retain their academic accomplishments. Keep each one safe and bring them back when school begins again, providing for all their needs. Oh, and thank you for the example of great and uninhibited joy these little ones teach us, if only we, your students, lean in and learn. May it be so!