It's been a long time...

it's been 8 days since my last post.  why?  not because i haven't had anything to write about.  far from it.  my mind has been working overtime.  since declaring full-blown war on the enemy, he has been taunting me at every bend with the shackles i have worn so many times, waiting for me to fall and lie there so he can snap them back on.  not to say i haven't stumbled.  my journey forward is just a series of one stumbling step after another.  every time i get back up, the harder he presses down.  the beauty of life, the beauty of family, the beauty of love, has been opposed at every turn.  and i refuse to surrender.  "greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world."  i pray those verses i've been memorizing from ephesians--that i may don the full armor of God so that I can take my stand against the enemy's schemes, and, after i have done everything, to stand.

and i honestly haven't even been able to take my eyes off the battle long enough to write.  but now i find myself with a few minutes of peace and i look for something relaxing to do.  and my blog beckons because writing is like medicine for my soul.

and, much to my good friend's chagrin, i'm going to write in all smaller case letters because it feels good.  it feels relaxed.  and i'm trying to relax.

i went to MOPS today.  today's meeting was a community fair, of sorts.  we asked various organizations from our community to come and tell us a little bit about what they do and how we, as busy mommas, can help.  it was overwhelming.  i had tears in my eyes so very many times as i sat there listening to all the needs around me...

kids that stuff food in their pockets at lunch time so they have something to eat when they get home.  kids that come to school in shorts and a jacket, no shirt, on these 40 degree mornings.  a child whose soles of their shoes just fell off today at school.  a compassionate lady who gets the very great privilege of sending kids home with backpacks full of food, finding a shirt or shoes...providing pencils or shoeboxes or...whatever else a child comes and requests of her.

children in the court system who have been abused.  neglected.  parents that really don't know how to be a parent.  mommas on drugs.  advocates who give generously of their time to pore over thick files, preparing themselves to make an educated recommendation about the placement of those children.  advocates who go to court with the children, looking out for their best interest.  advocates who really try to see both sides of the issue--the perspective of a momma who wants her kiddos but can't seem to pull it together; the desires of a child who wants to be with their momma but needs more than she can give.

families that need pots and pans, blankets, heat.  families that need homes.  mothers that need vaccines so their children don't contract tetnus when the doctor cuts the umbilical cord.  mothers who are choosing between life and death for their fetus.  parents who are struggling with the aftermath of abortion.  on and on and on...

and i'm inundated with the needs of the world.  and i am but one.  so, i pray...what can i do?

what can we do?

and i think about what mother teresa said:  "Never worry about numbers.  Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you."

and i think about what Scriptures say:  i was hungry and you fed me, thirsty, and you gave me a drink, naked, and you clothed me.  (my paraphrase.)

and i think about what God told me recently:  do something.  something.  don't sit in your fears.  move.  there's a need, fill it.

and i am amazed that i get to do something.  fill a shoebox with gifts so a needy child has a present for Christmas.  give some food to a backpack program that ensures needy kids get to eat throughout the weekend.  swing a hammer or paint a wall so a family can have a safe and comfortable home.

just a little something.  and God blesses.  and big things happen.  and i'm overwhelmed just thinking of how He multiplies our efforts.