Emptied Out...

The sinners and the sick, the broken, the discouraged, the wounded and burdened — we are the ones who get to celebrate grace!  Ann Voskamp

Even as we started the slow drive out of the neighborhood, we realized this would be a tough day.  As we drove past a man on the side of the road, Shiku leaned onto her dad (who was truly in great pain) to yell and punch out the window, screaming angrily.   

The windows were all open.  She had visited the bar early that morning, and was already smelling of very strong drink.  The stench filled the car.  People stared.

Baba Shiku laid his head back and moaned.

We arrived.  Mama Wambui and I both queasy... 
 ...from the emotion - of friends carrying this grandfather patient to the car, tears streaming down their cheeks, thinking this could be their last goodbye...  
...from the stench - of unbathed friends, after a night of drinking...  
...from exhaustion, even though the day was only beginning.

We spent most of our day, helping to carry him, from one hospital to another for x-rays, then back to the first.  And the whole time, our friends forgot to be thankful.  Instead, we were bombarded with requests... demands...  

And, as I struggled, feeling utterly poured out, I realized...
I am LOVED by GOD... even when I am unlovely.  
I receive GRACE... even when I am ungrateful!

God, you are asking this of me... that I continue to show YOUR love! 

Tonight, as I battle tears that lie close to my exhausted and empty body, I recognize in a deep, thirsty way - the love that Christ shows me... daily.  And, I am thankful!

The sinners and the sick, the broken, the discouraged, the wounded and burdened — WE are the ones who get to celebrate grace!  Ann Voskamp