AMONG THE ASHES: Lament of a social welfare heart warrior

Dedicated to my staff at Lifenet Children's Foundation Inc

There are moments when the head hangs low,

Invisible blood drips to the ground from unseen heart blows that most will never know or think of,

No social media announcements of the mess we stand in, the tears we have to hold back, the hidden sobs of seemingly unanswered prayers for breakthrough,

Bruises carried within from fighting, pressing on, holding ground.

The weariness of pushing forward on behalf of kids whose families failed them.

Picking up the shattered pieces that often get flung back in our faces repeatedly,

Sitting in the dung,

The stench of brokeness in our nostrils,

The sting of questions without reprieve.

We listen in the gap to the accusations and blame thrown at us for crimes we have not committed or even witnessed; giving space for the painful voices to be heard and acknowleged.

Receiving their fallout of all that is destroyed without justice or explanation.

If we will not battle who will stand for them?

If we will not raise the cry who will move on their behalf?

This is the place where giving up suggestions ring in the ears,

The job description smallprint fails to convey what it really involves.

The temptation is real!

Who signs up to live and stay in these dark places?

Surrender is always the easier option.

Regardless of the disappointment, frustration and seeming failures that we carry daily, the mandate remains!

Regardless of the defeats we can't let go of the baton.

When prodigals run we must not run too,

There must be a place where they can return.

There must be arms still willing to embrace the dirt.

And even when they don't come back we will still keep looking...

I am ready for the trade in promised!

I am waiting for the beauty to rise,

I am trusting that transformation is still on the horizon, even though I can't see it today!

(ISAIAH 61.....'to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,

the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour' )