Life Lessons

Today, while helping a family from church move out of their old house, I got assigned the job of packing up the teenage daughter's room, and I learned more than I ever imagined. Even though we've gone to the same church for quite a while now, I'd never payed much attention to this quiet, sweet, young girl, but I think I learned a lot about her (and maybe all of humanity) in the few hours I was there.

I know this must sound pretty idiotic of me, but until today, it had never really occurred to me that this girl would have dreams and fears, talents and ideas all her own, and a million other tiny things that make up a life. But going through tons of pictures, birthday cards, cd's, and keepsakes, I was hit with a startling truth: this girl had an entire life apart from what I knew about on Sunday mornings and past youth meetings.

When I thought about the billions and billions of people in the world, so much like, and yet so different from this girl, I was overwhelmed by the sheer vastness of it all (and was asked several times if I was alright!) and I still don't think I can comprehend it. It blows my mind to think about all the people in the world, and it breaks my heart to know that so many of them are desperately searching for anything to fill the void they find in themselves.

Anyway, these thoughts have left me quietly grateful for a much-grumbled-about 8 am moving day experience and the call God has placed in my heart to counsel His hurting children.