Friday, July 19, 2019

Frontline Battles

Hot angry tears leaked out this afternoon - my ugly cry at another injustice! Triggered after an unmerciful stream of so many things that you just can't post on facebook or share publicly;

Fights that you carry in your heart, behind the silent doors, trying to maintain integrity in a corrupt system that walks arrogantly on the other side of the street ignoring the real cry of the innocent.

A family that lost their father, brutally murdered in broad public while selling eggs in the market,

Offices that lie and steal a week's food budget, charging extortionate fees or fines for papers that you already filed and paid for, unmoved to graciously admit their errors,

A mother at our gate, with a broken jaw and black eyes from domestic violence,

A boy you finally reunited with his found family last year, shot in the head by an officer for being in the wrong place at the wrong time....(he is thankfully, still alive!)

These are not movie storylines or outtake scenes,
This is our messiness, without answers, explanation or justification.

Sometimes my hope just runs out;
I am disappointed,
Frustrated, demoralised,
Lost in an endless scrum of outward attacks and inward doubts,
Wrestling unseen enemies I don't even know or understand anymore......
Pushing against the flow week after week, wondering when the barrage ends?

Why such a battle on every side just to help children?
Why such a war in order to offer a family?
Clashes, assaults - strategic and relentless.

If we will not fight.... who will?
If we will not get back up after each knockdown, who will walk beside them?
Who will speak up when their voices have been silenced?
Who will hold them when their bodies moan with a fever?
Is it still enough?

Those questions plague me - not with guilt (although I am honestly tempted to retreat and hide), but with resolve and acceptance to take another left hook blow;

I feel so foolish to dare to rise again, but I can't accept defeat as an option, despite the relentless onslaught -

" You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord who is with you. " 2 Chronicles 20:17

I read this today, just before the hot tear inflicting punch that stirred my indignant cry earlier and I realised that I honestly can't fight. I have little left of myself anymore!

BUT I can stand still!

Resurface from the surge, and stand again!

STILL means - not moving! I AM NOT MOVING!
STILL means - quiet and calm!....(I am trying!)
STILL means - I am here - I am STILL remaining regardless!

That is my only weapon - being present..... the rest of the combat belongs beyond my ability, knowledge, understanding and humanity.

I AM STILL STANDING.....this is my position!

I am not alone!