Open the Window

So I've been thinking a lot about circumstance lately.  It is so easy to live in our own little houses with all our windows closed and feel like what is happening in our "world" is SO important.  And don't get me wrong, it is important...but sometimes when you open up a window, even just pull back the curtain, you can easily be reminded that everyone is facing something.

A few weeks ago at our church's vacation Bible school I was introduced to a girl named Christina.  The kitchen crew had been preparing snacks for the children all morning while chatting about our summer schedules.  Each of us took turns listing the activities we had planned, the obligations we needed to fill and the unexpected things that kept invading our itinerary.....like dogs who kept chewing out their stitches and ring worm, and swimmer's ear, and flat tires and lost flip flops.  How humbling it was to meet this precious child.

Christina walked up to the counter and rested her elbows on the edge. She was probably twelve, a pretty girl, soft eyes, an infectious smile, but she looked wary, burdened. 

"Hi Christina" Miss Laury chirped in her contagious happy tone.  "I am so happy you are here!  Tell all these nice ladies what I told you!" she said smiling.

Miss Laury is a member of our church, and she was Christina's group leader that week, she had stopped in the kitchen to chat between rotations.

Christina looked down sheepishly, but the smile that took over her face was visible through her thick blond bangs.  "I can't" she said shyly, still looking down.

"Now look at me missy, I know you know I am right and I want you to tell everyone who will listen!" Miss Laury doesn't hold back!

Still smiling Chritina raised her head and looked at Miss Laury. 

"Tell them" Miss Laury insisted.

"Okay" she said, "I am special" she mumured shyly.

"What?" Miss Laury said, I didn't hear you clearly, and what else, that's not all?

This time louder, more confident Christina looked at us "I am special, and someday I am going to be somebody who makes a difference". 

"That's right sweety, and whatcha gonna do when you do that?" 

"I'm gonna find you and tell you" 

"And where are you gonna find me?"

"Right here at church she said"

A chorus of encouragement poured out of that kitchen, assuring her that she could do it and that we would all be praying for her and looking forward to meeting her again.

As she trotted off to join her group Miss Laury filled us in on Christina's story, and reminded us all that everyone is facing something.

Chirstiana returned to VBS that Thursday morning and announced she had endured a "bad" night.

From inside my window with the curtain shut tight I consider a bad night as one where I cannot get the kids to stay in bed, or when we get home so late from softball or soccer that there is barely time to bathe the kids before they should be in bed, or someone is up in the night interupting my sleep. 

Christina's bad night was different.  Turns out this twelve year old is the oldest of ~twelve children living in her house.  Most of them are not related, they are mostly children of her mom's friends and boyfriends.  Christina had disclosed to Laury that she is pretty much the caretaker of all the children, making sure they are fed and clothed, keeping what order she can.  She almost didn't come to VBS because she was worried about leaving the other kids behind at home. 

Her "bad" night started with one of the men in the house drunkendly yielding a loaded gun and threatening to kill everyone, he then capturing one of the dogs, putting it in a headlock and pointing the gun to its head.  This was followed up with police intervention and his eventual departure to a jail cell. 

I have a friend who has been seperated from her husband for a year, a neighbor whose grandson endured a debilitating seizure, a friend just diagnosed with breast cancer, a loved one with pre-cancer cells, another with a mono-mono twin pregnancy that is extremely high risk.  So many people are suffering.  My minor complaints sound like luxury compared to the circumstances of others.  Our personal troubles are not unimportant and they are not forgotten by God, but they are all relative.  If we are not willing to open our windows and see what others are facing it is easy to become consumed with our own struggles.  Christina helped me step out the front door and be more aware.  Gave me a desire to think less of self and more of others. 

I realize that I cannot always physically help all of these people.  I cannot always be available to provide for them.  But I can pray for them.  I can offer a word of support, send a card, listen.  The best thing I can do is open the window, step outside my door, cast aside my selfish desires and learn how to better serve others.  God has provided for me in so many ways.  I pray that I never lose track of all that i have been provided because I am currently comfortable. 


Lord thankyou for the blessings that you have bestowed on my house and my family.  Thank you for folks like Miss Laury, willing to win hearts for Jesus, for being bold and available, and persistent. Forgive me for my selfish oblivion. Please keep Christina, Logan, Mike, Deborah, Hannah,Carol, Jerry, Stacy, Teri, Amy and others who are facing trials close to you, so that might feel your hand.   Help me see outside my comfy home and use me where you need me.  Give me a heart that is willing to serve, less of me and more of others.   Amen.