the rest of forever.
Dear Maliyah,
Today you didn’t have school because it wasn’t a safe place to be.
Today half a million kids didn’t have school because of the threat that was posed against schools.
Today the reality of the hurt, anger, and danger that is woven into this world took away yet another piece of your innocence.
Today you were forced to process things that you shouldn’t have to.
Today started the rest of forever for you.
Forever knowing the danger the surrounds us all. The unfair ways people will treat others. The truth that anger makes people do crazy things.
Today you experienced one of the deepest parts of how sin has affected this world. How imperfect humans are. How crazed this world is.
It isn’t fair you had to experience this already, but life isn’t fair. It isn’t right, but sin makes things very wrong. It is what it is. There is no changing the reality of what this world has become. But you can choose how you respond.
If you wanted to, you could live petrified with fear. Convinced that something bad could happen anywhere at any given time. Never stepping outside of your comfort zone, taking chances, and trying new things.
If you wanted to, you could let anger and bitterness overwhelm you. Constantly thinking on the injustice of this world, how you have been wrongly treated, and how unfair it is that we have to live in such broken times.
If you wanted to, you could point fingers and hate those who are leading the charge of such hatred and wrongdoing. Judging every person, each action, and allowing your heart to fester with the consequences you think they deserve for what they have done.
If you wanted to, you could shut down completely and let no one into your life. So panicked at the thought of something bad happening to your or someone you love, that you decide it is better to be alone than to do life with others and risk losing them or being hurt by them.
If you wanted to, you could let your life, your joy, and your peace be ruled by the sin in this world. You could, but you won’t.
You won’t because you know the truth. Because He knew this was coming, and so He equipped us to handle it.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging…the Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
You could live petrified with fear, but instead you will live in His grace trusting that He is with you always. Never leaving your side. Always caring for you. Always fighting for you. Always present.
You could let anger and bitterness overwhelm you, but instead you will walk in His peace not allowing this world to take away that gift He has given you. Letting go of what others are doing, and focusing on what you can do to love others well. Letting His peace reign in your heart.
You could point fingers and hate those doing wrong, but instead you will love them and pray for them. You will remember that each person is a child of God and was handcrafted by the Almighty with great intention and purpose. You will pray that He might let you see His children the way He sees them, so that instead of hate, you are filled with love and a desire for them to know our Father.
You could shut down completely and let no one into your life, but instead you will lean into community and the people our Father has gifted you to do life with. You will recognize the importance of surrounding yourself with people who love you and love our Father. People who will lead you closer to Him.
You could let your life, your joy, and your peace be ruled by the sin in this world, but instead you will lean into Him. Your rock. Your fortress. Your Father.
You will live remembering that He sits on the throne, and nothing is out of His control. That all things work together for the good of those who love Him. That He will never leave you. That He will always fight for you.
Our Father is bigger than it all. His love covers it all. His Will accounts for it all.
Today started the rest of forever for you. Forever resting in Him even when it all seems to be crumbling.
All my love,
Sissy