They're Rescuing Me

     Recently I posted a quote and a meme on my Facebook page.  It was very simple, and it said "You think that I'm rescuing these kids.  Truth is, they're rescuing me."  Some people have asked for an explanation.  Well, here is my attempt.

     First, there is a huge caveat.  The caveat is that it is really hard to explain what I mean.  Some things we just know, we just feel, we just understand without really knowing all of the details.  Sometimes truth is just truth.  I'll try to explain, but it might make it even more confusing.

     Second, there is, of course, a very real element of our ministry that is us rescuing the kids.  However, I don't look at it that way.  I think that God is rescuing them and, if He chooses to let us play a little part in that, that's on Him.  Give Him the credit if you need to give it to anybody. 

     With those two things out of the way, I'll try to explain here.  I am not a perfect person (shocking, I know).  I am full of screw ups, misunderstandings, attitudes, tempers...you name it.  I try really hard not to be like that.  Some days are better than others.  I am human, it is what it is; perfection is not a goal to try to obtain.  The day to day of life; work, ministry, family are great; I have no complaints.  However, we all tend to get stuck in our lives.  We are confortable where we are and with what we are doing.  Monotany can be killer...but we all strive for it. 

     The kids we work with in Haiti force me not to be like that.  They force me to live outside of who I am.  They force me to not be me.  They are part of God building a better me.  I can't be comfortable and serve them well.  I can't get stuck in the monotany of everything being okay.  They push me to be better, they push me to care more, they push me to love without condition.  They have taught me more than I think I can ever teach them.  Empathy. Compassion. Grace.

     I don't want to be stuck.  I don't want to just do what everybody else does and be happy.  Life isn't about being happy, life is about bringing little pieces of Heaven to earth for others.  That can make you happy; that can also drive you to insanity.  That's a risk I am willing to take.  I don't want to be stuck in a bubble, I don't want to tread water, I want to move forward.  This is what the kids have done for me.  They have rescued me from me.  They have given me all of the inspiration I need to get off of my knees and do something. 

     That either explained the meme to you, or made you even more confused.  Either way, come to Haiti with me sometime...then you'll get it for yourself.