It's late. But it's usually those words that you cannot sleep without getting down that are the ones worth saying the most?these moments are few and far between- especially when one learns that it is better to listen than to speak.
I've been doing much listening lately. I recently accepted a position at a Psychiatric Unit at a local hospital. My job as Counselor is to work with children and adolescents who are emotionally unstable. I must say, it's changing my life.
In order to keep confidentiality, I can't go into the names of these kids, and I don't even want to give detail to where I work?but I want to share some of these experiences, and the priceless lessons these kids are teaching me.
12 year old: "I have no goals?my goal is to die. That's all I can think about".
14 year old: "My dad?sexually abused me?"
15 year old: "I feel like a blob. I am faceless. I have been rejected by my parents, and my peers. I'm ugly, I'm not fun, I'm nothing?I just want to find a place where I fit".
Has anyone ever told you that you're beautiful? 15 year old: "No. Never"
Maybe your mom will call...9 year old, tear rolling down his face: "She doesn't care enough to call".
16 year old, eyes to the floor: "I'm afraid to look people in the eyes?I am afraid they will see inside".
11 year old: "Well?I don't really have any friends."
These are just a fraction?a glimpse of the aching hearts and the pain that I have been coming into contact with on a daily basis. These kids are barely alive on the outside, and already dead and rotting on the inside. They have been rejected by the world. They have lived unfortunate lives. They have had no one to believe in them. They have been misunderstood, and they have been rejected, and they have been despised.
It seems that so many of my entries have a "depressing" attribute to them. But that is only to those who have closed their eyes to reality and responsibility. I understand, there are many smiling children in this world?but Christ has not come for the well, but for the sick. These are the sick and dying?and these are the people who I choose to open my eyes to?in my writing, and by the grace of God- in my life.
The pattern in my entries lately has been to focus on the people that have touched my life. These children have not only touched, but changed my life.
Broken hearts, their bleeding arms, their battered identities. Some come clothed in pink Abercrombie and Fitch, others come with 22 peircings, Nazi tattoos, and covered in black. All of them crying the same words:
WE HAVE TRIED THIS WORLD. ..AND IT HAS LEFT US EMPTY HANDED. WE HAVE TRIED THIS WORLD, AND IT HAS LIED TO US. WE HAVE TRIED THIS WORLD, AND WECAN TRY NO MORE?OR WE WILL DIE.
I am ashamed. I am ashamed not because I was the one to put them down, or to reject them. Not because I was mean or judgmental. Not because I was prideful or rude. No?no?not at all.
I am ashamed by my silence. I have not given my hand. I have not looked for those in need. I have been self-centered, and tangled up in "finding" my own identity. I have been too busy finding my "way" that I have failed to help the ones who are drowning and in need of a Savior.
For the words unsaid, for the encouragement held in, for the tears unwiped, for the hearts left broken, for the eyes I kept shut, for the ears that failed to listen, for the tears that were never shed, for the love that was withheld, for the joy that went unshared, for the hands that served self, for the Light that went covered.
I am ashamed.
Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." Matthew 9:12
Debra is currently a counselor at a local hospital, working with at risk youth. Her true passion lies in the urban community where she founded and runs an after school program for the local youth and is an active participant in the community. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Counseling.
scheduled maid service Northbrook ..The time has come for the mass population on Earth... Read More
Let's say that you have discovered your purpose but you... Read More
The more that "little me" allows surrender the more is... Read More
What really binds us to any negative emotional state in... Read More
There is no incident in the life of Moses which... Read More
We all know that the best laid plans of mice... Read More
There is a specific technique that a Shaman uses to... Read More
Why Abandon Religion?It is so commonly believed today that religion... Read More
Has America known its finest hour? Are we losing our... Read More
What power do we hold individually in the midst of... Read More
1. Identify a woman who is "like minded," who has... Read More
I once read a story about a Catholic priest who... Read More
Whenever we have the opportunity to make human assessments, the... Read More
Do you realize you are creating your future by the... Read More
No one, not even God can make us choose the... Read More
THE GNOSTICS, ESSENES AND THE 'OCCULT':Throughout this book I have... Read More
... Read More
Did you happen to see the made-for-tv movie, "Jesus," that... Read More
The bible tells a story about four men who sat... Read More
There is a concept in Jewish mystical thought known as... Read More
I beheld the sky and its wonders and saw AstonishmentI... Read More
I said something last week I haven't said in years.... Read More
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,... Read More
Life, no matter how we choose to look at it,... Read More
The following fragment was found in Qumran along with the... Read More
reliable maid service Highland Park ..The earth is wrapped in a thin, loose shell of... Read More
As we proceed further into the 21st century there is... Read More
I am deeply drawn to the above Irish Blessing.This blessing... Read More
I am beginning a journey starting tomorrow. I have decided... Read More
I was recently asked how I interpreted the Mayan and... Read More
Lost, but you don't know where you're going.Lost is a... Read More
We may sometimes consider the difficulty that occurs with our... Read More
Let me say that marketing can be a corrupting experience.... Read More
In this series I would like to take you through... Read More
In the spring of 2003, I spent three weeks in... Read More
Matthew 3:4-6 John Baptizes the People4 Now John wore a... Read More
We are the beneficiaries of the promise God made to... Read More
Let's take a look at all these aspects. The bible... Read More
Taco Bell, the Mexican fast-food franchise, has a new ad... Read More
God rides a Harley, God drives truck, God is a... Read More
Throughout history, what is portrayed in all religions as being... Read More
Have you ever wondered how much faith you really have?... Read More
WOW ... what a question. But today, while I was... Read More
It's human nature to point a finger when we think... Read More
I would like to share my experience, working with the... Read More
The practice of meditating on loving-kindness may be over two... Read More
He knew it was going to happen. He wasn't really... Read More
Do you ever get into those moods where you just... Read More
Before Donna was born she took with her a dollar,... Read More
There is an prayer process in every religion and everyone... Read More
Spirituality |