We have to realize we can’t help everyone. As much as we may want to help someone, and even when we do have the ability to help them, they still are the ones who have the choice to make. I do not understand all the ins & outs of the human mind & psyche- why people choose to live a life that is “less than” what they could have, just because it’s what they’re “used to”?
It seems in the last few months that God is showing me this truth in several different cases. There are some children that we have tried to help. We have given them every opportunity and help we give other children. And yet, for a few of those children, they are unable to let go of their previous lives. I don’t understand all the reasons why. Maybe they are willing to choose “answering to no one” over following rules? Maybe they choose being high & without responsibility over the work & determination that school requires? Maybe they just find it impossible to believe that their lives really could be different from what they always thought they would be? Whatever the reasons, I grieve for them. My heart grieves for them & the bleak life now laid out before them.
As much as I grieve and my eyes fill with tears for those boys, I know our heavenly father grieves for them even more. He knows even more than I about the consequences of their choices. The other day I was reading the story Jesus told of the shepherd who left the 99 sheep to go and find the 1. God cares & longs for that one sheep that has gone astray. Only the shepherd can bring back lost sheep. All that we can do (as fellow sheep) is to pray and to be there. And oh the rejoicing that happens when that sheep is brought back! Our God is a seeker- he came to this earth seek and to save that which was lost. So we pray for those who are “lost” to this world and it’s empty promises. We pray for God to seek them out & that they choose to come back to where hope is. We pray for God to help them to believe their lives CAN be different.
God Bless You,
Lisa
