I came to a few realizations today, and they are ones that I couldn't have been able to reach on my own. To best understand these I have to tell you about my last few hours...
Most Sunday nights I meet with two other wonderful ladies to talk about what God is doing in our lives, where we see Him moving and what we need prayers for. This week because of a few reasons we didn't meet. I was ok with that (though I do miss them dearly when we can't get together). I also normally go to The Gathering on Sunday nights but this Sunday was their First Sundays out challenge so I had some free time to go out and hang out in the neighborhood.
I headed over one of the apartment complexes that we have a few families living in to wash some hair (head lice is very stubborn) and see some kids. When I got over there a group of girls that I love was playing outside. It was a pretty nice evening, and they were having a great time. The other kids I came to see weren't home so I just played with them.
I decided to head home and come back about an hour later to see if they were back. I got home and got started working on a video and lost track of time. It was about two hours later when I got back to the apartments. As I pulled in it was impossible to not notice the 8 or so police cars, crime scene van, news truck and police line. It turns out that while I was gone a violent crime took place in one of the neighboring apartment buildings.
All of these things led me to my realizations....
1. These kids that I love live in a place that I can't imagine growing up in. A place where stuff like stabbings, and shootings can and do happen. I pray so often for better for them, for safer homes and healthier neighborhoods.
2. God takes care of us. I was planning on being back in that apartment complex about an hour earlier than I was, which from what I saw would have put me there when stuff happened. I thank God that none of my kids were hurt, and pray for those that were.
These may seem like silly things to realize, but they are the things I forget about so easily. Even though I only live about 5 minutes from where that happened I feel like I live in a different world. I have never felt scared or frightened living down here. I am confident that I am where God wants me and know He is going to take care of me. But, I forget the reality of where I live all to often. I thank God for giving me the chance to know and love these families, because they bless me in so many ways. I pray that God teaches our kids, and uses them to be lights in the dark places.
