One Thousand Gifts (continued)

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field'" 

(Matthew 9:36-38)

I had another visit at the jail today.  This time I went without Paul, which I have to admit, was a tad bit out of my comfort zone to say the least.
Again, like last time, (http://parentsforpurity.blogspot.ca/2014_03_01_archive.html), I was awestruck at the brokenness surrounding me.
However, this time it felt different.
My heart was breaking for the little two year old behind me in line, whose mother was hoping he'd have some physical contact with whoever they were visiting.
My heart was breaking for the mother and daughter in front of me who were visiting their son and brother.
My heart was breaking for the woman who looked so lost and confused because the person she was supposed to visit didn't show up.
My heart was breaking for those who feel so alone, so helpless, and so angry (I saw few angry people there today).
My heart was breaking for our friend who is so eager to be released from his prison cell and is counting down the days.
My heart was breaking for our friend who doesn't know where he'll even be living when he is released.
My heart was breaking for those hundreds of inmates who are living in darkness and for all who are like lost sheep without a shepherd.

I was reminded of the words from a song by Hillsong United:

Heal my heart and make it clean

Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours 

Everything I am for your kingdoms cause

https://hillsong.com/united/

Could it be that God is using these visits to break my heart?  Perhaps.  However, could my heart truly be broken when I'm not doing the things that I should be doing to help those in need- that which really breaks His heart?  Could my heart truly be broken when I continue to live a selfish life?  Could my heart truly be broken when I continue to judge others?  There is so much brokenness and hurt in this world.  I pray that God will "show me how to love like you have loved me".  

It is also my prayer that God will "break my heart from what breaks yours".  

Continuing to give thanks...
#4457-#4482
-an encouraging visit with our friend in prison
-his safety
-his boldness to tell others about Jesus
-his desire to be transformed by the renewing of the Spirit
-my heart beginning to be broken

-friends getting together to play and celebrate a birthday

-eating without utensils!
-that his mommy is home from the hospital and is recovering

-his seriousness as he interviews his uncle over the phone for a Cadet badge

-how she had her bathing suit ready all day, waiting to go in her uncle's hot tub

-how she sings and dances all the time

-her microphone as she attempts to sing, "I am a C H R I S T I A N"

-splashing in the puddles

-catching rain drops on her tongue

-practicing for his speech

-being prepared to face the bugs that spring/summer has to offer

-how she was willing to play her saxophone in church (and what a wonderful job she did!!)

-celebrating Christian Education week at school
-fun activities at school all week
-celebrating Grandparents

-"games day"

-dress alike day (Jesse's not alone with his obsession)

-how his obsession has led to late nights, watching hockey, but also to a road trip with his father and an opportunity to bond, bringing memories that will last a lifetime!

-being inspired at the Women's Alive conference and hearing Carolyn Arends http://carolynarends.com
-meeting and getting to know such a beautiful Christian woman who works for Compassion Canada (www.compassion.ca)
-children being sponsored, and many lives being impacted

One Thousand Gifts (continued)

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" 

(Psalm 147:3) 

It was heart breaking to see the brokenness.
I had never been inside a jail before.
I also have never been outside of a jail, waiting to visit an inmate.
The brokenness surrounded us.
I was surprised and saddened to see so many young children in the visiting line.
So many broken families.
So much hurt.

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4413905-barton-jail-on-the-other-side-of-the-fence/

Yet, we were encouraged with our visit with our friend (who's in prison for drinking and driving).  He told us how he sees God's grace in tangible ways all the time.
There is "hope for the helpless... love for the broken heart...grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing...cry out to Jesus".

"Cry Out To Jesus" (by Third Day)

 To everyone who's lost someone they love

 Long before it was their time

 You feel like the days you had were not enough

 when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains

 Keeping you back from your life

You believe that there's nothing and there is no one

Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless

Rest for the weary

Love for the broken heart

There is grace and forgiveness

Mercy and healing

He'll meet you wherever you are

Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on

They lost all of their faith in love

They've done all they can to make it right again

Still it's not enough

 For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains

You try to give up but you come back again

Just remember that you're not alone in your shame

And your suffering

When your lonely

And it feels like the whole world is falling on you

You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus

Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone

Wiping the tears from her eyes

For the children around the world without a home

Say a prayer tonight

Continuing to give thanks...
#4368-#4391

-God is able to heal the brokenness all around us
-God hears the prayers cried out to Him
-God is able to break the chains of addictions
-He comforts the lonely
-He heals broken marriages
-His grace and forgiveness
-His mercy and healing
-hope
-the opportunity to visit our friend in jail
-the letters that our children have written to him and the letters that he has written to us
-his determination to be healed, by God's grace
-his testimony to God's grace
-Paul praying with him through the telephone line
-being stretched in ways we would not have expected

-the joy she brings every day
-singing "Let us have a little talk with Jesus"

-getting together with sister-in-laws, celebrating Diane's birthday
-going out for lunch with my sister, celebrating her birthday

-baking together

-how she decided she needed a rest (and pretended to sleep on the floor)

-how he is learning patience (as he had to wait a long time for his new Rubik cubes to come in the mail)

-learning to use tools (even if they were pink)

-one last skate of the year

-how God kept us from making plans on Saturday night, so that we could be available for a last minute dinner arrangement with a dear friend