Thoughts And Prayers…

…and kindness displayed.

I was going to do a photo post today on spring (such as it is!).
This morning there was an unexpected earthquake in Victoria, and of course there are various disasters, natural and man–made, across the Earth right now. In everyday life it feels like people are biting and snapping at each other lately.

Some days are heavier than others.

These days I hesitate to say that my thoughts and prayers are with those who are suffering and weary, with those who need help. It’s a phrase that has often been used as a way of distancing ourselves from actually doing something – of sounding pious and compassionate without having to prove otherwise that we are.
It’s unfortunate that the words evoke those meanings in people. I will continue to send my “thoughts and prayers” for those in need, because I truly believe that bringing those needs before a loving, compassionate, kind God is a powerful first step to healing and renewal.
But…it’s still a first step!
I do acknowledge that some of us are physically or financially unable to be hands-on with a lot of things. In that case – pray on! It does make a difference 🙂
There are still meals to make, cards or phone calls to send, finances to release, gardens to weed, cakes to bake, houses to raise, kids to love and mentor…and maybe even justice and mercy to extend, laws to change, or conventions to be overturned.
Prayer provides the blueprint, and then we build.
(Having said that, if your mental and emotional state right now means you’re unable to do any of that – it’s OK!
You don’t have to “do stuff” to be worth loving ❤ )

I can’t encompass the whole world, but that’s why we have community. Everyone has a place to sing hope into!
I’m going to think and pray, and spend time asking my Father what to do and where.

Here is where my heart sits today…