I figured God had a reason for waking me up at 1:30am. I thought it was to pray. Then I thought it was to listen to try and hear the still soft voice. Then I thought it might be to write. But, the real reason He woke me up was to read this post. It's from Stacey Hume, a participant on the World Race. The World Race is part of the AIM missions offerings and is a trip for young adults which visits 11 countries in 11 months.

 

I read the World Racers blogs in order to see what God is doing in and through this incredible trip. I'm often amazed, often touched, I often laugh, and often cry. This one, however, completely broke me.

 

How does an eight year old girl survive a savage attack aimed at slitting her throat from ear to ear? How does she survive physically, emotionally, spiritually enough to come to ask for healing from the very God who allowed the savage attack? Her biggest complaint? She can't drink water very well because it falls out of the hole that was left when the skin didn't heal correctly.

 

I have nothing to say to that...

 

Part of me is enraged that God has to use a faith-filled little girl who is suffering to stoke up the fire in our hearts to DO something. Part of me is ashamed because I'm still sitting here in my comfy bed watching from a distance. Add those parts together and you get one broken woman.

 

I too will be forever changed by a little girl with a hole in her throat. But, this time I am compelled to take more action than to just blog about it. This time, for whatever reason, my heart has finally made the connection between information and transformation. This little girl's story will shape how I live the rest of my life. I have no idea where it will lead - but it will lead to more than just shedding tears and saying prayers. For me, that is no longer enough.

 

Maybe I'm not the only one? Maybe God does indeed bring beauty from ashes?

 

What does this story say to you?