Eli was asleep.
All was clam and quiet.
Well, sort of.
We live in a great neighborhood.
Full of life.
The joy of children laughing is heard regularly.
Last night, as we sat contented.
The silence broke.
While we sat in the living room,
the quiet of a peaceful evening was shattered with the crying of a toddler.
Jumping up, I ran to the hallway.
Thankfully, with my heart pounding I quickly realized that it wasn't Eli.
He was still safe, in his crib.
Dreaming peacefully.
My sudden relief changed as my heart dropped.
The crying was suddenly drowned out by shouting.
Loud shouting.
Fighting.
Cruel words.
Suddenly we heard the door next door slam, and that sweet baby was left to cry alone-- in the room directly across from our office window.
While the fight continued in other areas of the house.
I don't know much about the family next door.
Honestly, Ryan and I have been tied up in our own whirlwind to really reach out.
I know that there is a grandma.
And a sweet toddler girl.
There seems to be a mom and a dad.
Maybe a uncle or two.
Its a busy home.
And besides the grandma and the baby, we aren't really sure who lives there.
Last night, while Eli sleep in his room
and the baby next door continued to cry over the now faint angry voices.
My tears welled.
In the many moments that followed,
I sat on the couch praying.
My heart was broken.
Broken for the baby who needed comfort.
Broken for a family, broken.
In those moments, for that night I wanted nothing more then to offer that little girl arms of safety.
I wanted to crawl through the window and rescue her.
I wanted to knock on the door, and offer a safe harbor for the baby while they duked it out.
I wanted to give that sweet little girl a quiet, peaceful night.
With sweet dreams.
I wanted to shelter her.
I wanted shelter for her.
I couldn't.
All I could do, was pray.
I prayed that God's arms would comfort her to sleep.
That she would feel love like no other.
That her ears would not hear the words being yelled, and that she would hear the gentle voice of a loving Father rocking her to sleep.
After about ten minutes. It got quiet in her room.
The faint voices in the background continued.
I assume she had fallen asleep.
I went to bed last night with a heavy heart.
Sadly, I don't know her name.
I wish I did.
Soon, I will.
God has given us this time.
He's placed us in this place.
We have said numerous times that we don't know the WHY's or WHAT for's yet.
For a few weeks I have felt a bit like that little girl.
Confused.
Unsure.
Scared.
Needing comfort.
In all that's happened, God has been there.
His peace has filled out home.
His love has been present.
He's here.
And last night, He was there with that precious baby.
Last night, I felt my first task at hand.
Perhaps the first WHY and What for.
Our neighbors.
To love this family.
To show love to this family.
To let them know we are here.
To be an extension of the gentle hand of God to them.
Is it grand?
Maybe not.
Is it the end result?
Probably not.
Is it necessary?
Absolutely.
People all around us need love everyday.
People need to know there is hope, comfort and peace in this broken world.
Psalm 34:18 (The Message)
If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;
if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.
May a wave of peace and hope start from our home, and reach out to those around us.
No comments:
Post a Comment