A Different Kind of Rescue Mission

I don't care who you are, or where you came form, or who you know or where you're going. I don't care if your white or black, poor or rich, tall or short. Beneath all of that we all want the same things. We all want love, acceptance, value, purpose, friendship, happiness and something to believe in. And when we're lost, a part of us cries out in desperation for those things. But when we're lost the things we find there aren't what we're really looking for. They're only shadows, silhouettes of the real things, ghosts and distorted images of the truth. I think that's what you're seeing right now. You, beautiful, smart, talented, lost. Nourishing yourself on drama and alcohol, and sobering up just in time for synagogue on Saturday. You're reaching out and grasping smoke, no wonder you're unsatisfied. And you, handsome, honest, intelligent, lost. Stuck in Catholic school against your wishes. Now you couldn't care less whether we evolved or were created because no matter what you don't care and you don't need a god telling you how to live your life. You have never known God. You have never been able to see him in your life, in your world. You have rendered yourself deaf and blind to God. But he hears you, and he sees you better than you can imagine. And he hears that small part of you crying out for help because everyone wants something to believe in. Even if you don't know it yet. Something to hope in, something to trust in. Maybe one day you'll see that the drugs don't fix that. And just so you know, i see you too, and I am listening, waiting to show you another way. I will walk through the smoke and shadows and confusion holding a light that pierces the deepest expanses to find you. But I need you to give me your hand, and trust me. And then when we find our way back I will tell you about he who is above all the darkness and restlessness and hopelessness, and that it was he who led you back here. And then you will have to make a choice. I hope you choose to walk in the light. I hope you choose truth and love and acceptance. Purpose, value, friendship, joy.

Hot Air Balloons

On a hot summer evening in August, a soft warm breeze sweeps across the backyard as dusk rolls in. A little girl with curly sandy blond hair plays hide and seek in an evergreen tree, as her grandparents pretend to thoroughly search the rest of the yard. Her brother hides next to the vegetable garden, his white and navy striped overalls clearly visible through the tomato vines. His small little body suddenly gets to its feet. the little girl uselessly motions for him to stay hidden. He points to the sky and a grin spreads across his round face. Curiosity overtakes his sister, who pushes her way through the pine branches to look at the sky. Off in the distance, high above the houses and trees float three hot air balloons. The little girl settles herself down on the grass, and her thoughts soar up as high as the balloons. her grandparents wander over, secretly thankful for the change of entertainment.

Age is a funny thing. The old and the young often think alike. When we are young our thoughts and understanding are very simplistic. At some point after that life makes things more complicated for us, or perhaps we make life more complicated. But as we near the end, we somehow find that simplicity again.

Time to go inside, as the balloons drift out of sight. The brown eyes of a girl and boy watch them for as long as possible even after the screen door is closed behind them.

13 years later, a tall girl with sandy blond hair climbs the ten flights of stairs up to her university apartment. Another tuition payment is due, her roommates keep her up all night, she's overwhelmed with school work, and although she'd never admit it, she's beginning to miss home. Four floors up she looks out a small window. Perfectly framed in the soft orange sky floats one hot air balloon.

Fun

Cans and bottles cover the lawn. Clouds of smoke create a layer of smog blocking out all fresh air from being let into the house. Everybody smells, nobody notices. You go with a bunch of people, you meet a bunch more, but you come out of it knowing no one. Sirens go off in the distance, an ambulance streaks by. Another one down. Respect goes out the window along with the empties. Fake relationships abound. You may be broke but this is worth spending money on. You may be failing but this takes priority. You may be depressed and think this is the solution. You may be lonely and have found this will effectively fill the void. You are lost and this looks like a promising direction to take. This is more important than school, having a good reputation, or keeping a job. You have found no better way to cope with life. This is where all your problems stem from and where all your problems have led you back to. As early morning approaches people leave in pairs. What a romantic first time. The washrooms look and smell like a warzone. There is an almost constant flash of red and blue lights, and the blare of a siren. Eyes are glazing over, Inhibitions are giving way. Footsteps are becoming unsteady. Lungs are filling with smoke. Tires screech. Something slips into a glass of what was just water. Someone is handcuffed, someone else on a stretcher. And all of this somehow seems so funny to you. Fun enough to do every night. Fun enough to plan your life around. Fun enough to surrender control of your life. So much fun you don''t even know what's happening. And as I walk away down the sidewalk, the loud bass still rumbling a block over, I pity those who have nothing else to live for tonight.

News

There's a drawing on the wall in my room. It's a road with two sets of footprints. A white set and a black set. The pairs of footprints begin side by side, but then the black pair begin to veer off followed by the white pair until the edge of the path when the black pair continue off but the white pair goes back to the middle of the path. Next to the picture there are words....

"I stand here and watch you walk away. The tears run down my face because I know I cannot take the same path. You've tried this path before. Sometimes i could pull you back, keep you safe; but not this time. I yell "Come back!" over and over, but you don't even turn around. I fall to my knees knowing I will have to get back up and continue on without you. But I will pray, and there will always be a place next to me on the road saved for you."

2 years ago i drew that picture and wrote that caption, and there are days when I feel like we're still those two people. Black vs. white, fighting the same battles we were then and being separated. But then there are other days, much much better days, and today is one of those days. If I were to re-draw that picture today it would have a third set of smaller footprints in the middle. The steps would be taken together, side by side. If I got ambitious and added the people to whom the footprints belong, they would be holding hands. Joined together permanently on this life journey by a new life. If i were to write a different caption it would read....

"Hope baby rocks your world. Hope your whole life changes and you embrace it. I hope you laugh alot. I hope you work through the tough stuff. I hope you learn from this child and I hope you live the kind of life for them to look up to. I hope you chose the right godmother. Here's to staying connected the rest of our lives. I love you. "

Well life, that was a new one. That's so typical of me, thinking I've got this all mapped out...false. A wise woman once described her life to me like this, "I always envisioned my life as this one path that encounters all my goals and dreams. But I've found that you spend alot more time on detours and scenic routes. Every so often you hit the main road again, but just for long enough to see that you're on the right track". I'm not too sure what the right track is anymore. Or whether I'm on it or on a detour. I probably just need some perspective. Dear God, road map please? At least I've gotten good at following my own advice; one of my favourite quotes is, "Let life surprise you". Check, I'm surprised. But I'm happy mostly, honoured, overwhelmed to be honest. It's good to know that not everybody takes you for granted. That friendship and love still wield power in many ways. Even though there were tough times, even though there will be tougher times, it's nice to know that God keeps his promises. "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord" Romans 8:28