I am very blessed to work with teenagers, but it absolutely breaks my heart when I hear and see how lonely so many of today’s teens are. I can’t ever remember a time when I questioned my parents love for me. I’ll never forget the first time a student told me that no one had ever told her that they loved her. How does this happen? It breaks my heart to know that so many people feel discouraged and alone…and fear no one cares.
This weekend I participated in a ministry that tries to encourage prostitutes. Sadly, many of these women have been told their entire lives that they are worthless and unlovable. At some point, they began to believe it. It is devastating to think that these same women are someone’s daughter, someone’s sister, and at one time, someone’s classmate. We initiated conversation with the ladies by giving them a rose and a card. We wanted them to know that they are special in God’s eyes.
I realized as we drove the streets how often I’ve passed by such women without giving it a second thought. They had become invisible to me. If only someone had truly seen them. Then perhaps they would have had hope of a better life. Perhaps their circumstances today might be different.
We were encouraged to write about something that gets us down and makes us sad — this rips at the seams of my heart. I pray that I will have eyes to see those around me who are hurting, and that if no one else cares, I will. I pray that I will not get so busy that I miss the people around me.
The ministry I worked with helps women escape prostitution. They take them to a safe house and help them to get counseling. Pray that women would make the choice to call for help today!
This post was written as part of NHBM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J
Lord, I do pray for these women and that even one of them, through the weight of a hangover and reprecussions of the weekend, might turn for help. That this card and rose they were given might mean something to them today. That they would take that step they've been wanting to take but have been too scared to know anything different. Help them God. And I pray a church would be ready to receive them with open arms, loving them and pointing them to You, the true lover of their soul. In Your Name, Jesus, Amen.