shine.

Our family was watching "The Nativity" the other night when I realized.... My girls have a heart for justice. When they saw the images on the screen- actors portraying women being sold and exchanged for taxes.... children being murdered in the streets for the sake of power, their hearts screamed out. Tears spilled. They know, as children.

This year our CFL theme for the season has been "Shine". We kicked it off with our annual event, Soup for the Soul, where many of the humanitarian efforts we contribute to as a church where highlighted. A few of the them where: writing a letter on behalf of a wrongly imprisoned Pakistani women, our many city outreaches, the now annual Ecuador trip to assist in Christmas parties for some of the poorest of the poor, the trips to Rancho Santa Marta, an orphanage in Mexico and even supporting a company from Cambodia that is made up of exploited women rescued out of human trafficking.

It seems like the world is a very large, very crazy place.... so much wrong to right. Yet, here we are- doing something. And my kids also get to be a part of it. And in the coming years, they will get to participate even more. But I love that they SO WANT to be a part of it.

Which brings me to yet another one of Jewel's songs that I have been loving and humming and praying this year, from her Christmas album. Hands. I love the part that says "I won't be made useless, I won't be idle with despair, I will gather myself around my faith for light does the darkness most fear" (much of the world may be big and bad- but guess who has overcome the world?? That's right, Jesus!) And I love the part that says "We'll fight, not out of spite for someone must stand up for what's right- Where there's a man that has no voice, there ours shall go singing" (Like that lady in Pakistan, the world spoke up and it may make a difference of life or death) You know how I love songs and lyrics.... so here it is :)

Hands

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all OK
And not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these

I won't be made useless
I won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear

Poverty stole your golden shoes
It didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn't ever after

We'll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
'Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
I am never broken
In the end only kindness matters

I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

We are never broken
We are God's eyes

God's hands
God's mind
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's heart
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's eyes
We are God's hands
We are God's hands

SHINE. (And they even let me paint the walls! :) )