Last night, I dreamt I was a refugee. Fleeing war, carrying children and elderly on my back, selling my most valuable possessions - my toothbrush and my deodorant. Sharing a toothbrush with someone I barely even knew, only tasting the salt and grit of tears.
This morning, I dreamt of a world filled with peace and light. A world where Iraq - and every other country - embrace the diversity, where we learn from our differences. Where no one has to worry about if they can afford to pay for water and there is enough food for all the children. And no ebola.
This evening, I heard the story of real life refugees. Their community is deep. They've been here a while. But she just wishes she could see her mom again, you know? It's been a long time - more than a decade - but it's too dangerous. But she's being strong for the kids. Because life's been really hard lately.
Her voice breaks during the interview and for a second, you get a grasp of how deeply she is feeling all of this. Then she blinks and looks away. I whisper, wanting to reach out to her, "You are so strong."
"He told them still another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.'"
I want a world full of freedom, peace, kindness. But sometimes, the only way towards that is to be the little amount of yeast that you can be, hold your strength, and work your way deeply into the world. Sometimes, a mama holding space for her kids to just be kids is the most radical act in the world.
This morning, I dreamt of a world filled with peace and light. A world where Iraq - and every other country - embrace the diversity, where we learn from our differences. Where no one has to worry about if they can afford to pay for water and there is enough food for all the children. And no ebola.
Jesus was trying to explain this vision once and said this: "What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
Her voice breaks during the interview and for a second, you get a grasp of how deeply she is feeling all of this. Then she blinks and looks away. I whisper, wanting to reach out to her, "You are so strong."
"He told them still another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.'"
I want a world full of freedom, peace, kindness. But sometimes, the only way towards that is to be the little amount of yeast that you can be, hold your strength, and work your way deeply into the world. Sometimes, a mama holding space for her kids to just be kids is the most radical act in the world.
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