It's the small things that sometimes matter most
Years ago I learned that many Haitians have never known the joy of a birthday celebration, the happiness of that moment before you cut the cake after your family and friends stand around and sing, acknowledging your importance to the world.
How many birthday cakes have we purchased through the years at Haiti Awake? How often have we sang to someone we know and love? These are always special occasions, but yesterday may have been the most special to me - even though I couldn’t be there.
Yesterday we honored Soiris, a man I first wrote about a little over a year ago, a man whose life has taught me so much.
A Haitian friend told me, “This is a day he will never forget in his life.” And it’s the same for me. I will never forget this day because it’s another example of God’s faithfulness.
Kyle Idleman wrote: “When I’ve thought about people who have met a need of mine, I’ve realized they probably don’t even remember doing it because it didn’t seem like a big deal to them - but it was to me.”
Happy Birthday, Soiris. You are important in this world. You’ve taught me about joy in the midst of difficult circumstances, and you have met a need in my heart. I’m so glad to know you!
It’s all grace
This week has been full of hard conversations on Haiti.
People are struggling in ways that are impossible to articulate. I’ve been asked questions I couldn’t have imagined being asked in another lifetime. But desperation leads people to ask questions they themselves never thought they’d ask. Desperation leads people down roads they never thought they would travel. I’ve learned that I can not fully understand another’s perspective because I can not walk in his shoes, and I have also learned that perhaps, at times, all people need is someone to listen and remind them they are not alone.
My heart hurts. My heart hurts for the brokenness of this world, not just Haiti, but the world at large.
But each morning as I walk, time and time again, I am reminded of the grace of God that somehow carries people through their darkest times.
Simone Weil once wrote, “Grace fills empty spaces, but it can only enter where there is a void to receive it, and it is grace itself which makes this void.”
That’s what I am thinking on this morning. The grace that fills empty spaces, and the blessing of the voids - even if comprehending it all is beyond my mortal understanding.
But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.
And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself.
Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!
Job 19:25-27
Knowing what I know
"Why do we care? Because we see ourselves in relationship, 'obligated by the very fact of our existence.' And now knowing what we know, we are responsible, for love’s sake, for the people and places that are ours—if we have eyes that see."
Steven Garber
Sometimes that responsibility feels so heavy. And sometimes that responsibility brings great joy.
But always I know that responsibility is there. I can not forget what I know. I can not walk away from living, breathing people who are more than statistics to me.
We both need prayer
He’s known his own measure of suffering in this life, but on that particular Sunday, he wanted to pray for me.
He came to me purposefully, intentionally, boldly. He asked me to sit, and he began to pray over me - a long prayer, a prayer from the heart, a prayer of intercession, a prayer I could actually feel.
So often I am compelled to pray without ceasing for my friends in Haiti, but during this trying season, I am so thankful to know they are praying for me, too.
I am reminded of James 5:16, “Be praying for one another, that ye may be healed; very strong is a working supplication of a righteous man.”
Haiti needs healing right now, and so do I.
