Throughout this semester I have been so overwhelmed with the brokenness in the world. I have literally wept multiple times. My heart breaks as I talk with family and friends about their struggles--financial issues, diseases, and deaths just being a few. Even as I scroll through my Facebook newsfeed I am bombarded with horrifying news that I would not wish upon my worst enemy, yet these are my friends' stories. I have no words. All that comes out of my mouth is, "I'm so sorry." I want so desperately to help, to heal the wounds.
Recently a Facebook page called Calvin College Confessions was created as a way for students to anonymously "confess" things they have done at/while attending Calvin. In regard to the page, a friend of mine said something like this--"Although it is not a good forum for discussion, a lot of the stories posted on the page were heartbreaking and are reminders that we really need to be reaching out to each other. We need to be doing so much more here at Calvin." We are called to love one another and must show this through our interactions within the Calvin community. We cannot judge each other or take pride in ourselves. We are all vulnerable human beings who need love.
All of the brokenness is a constant reminder to me how much we need God. He is the only one who can truly heal us. He is the hope in this constant flood of pain. At the end of the day, the only thing I know to do is pray. So that is what I do and will continue to do. And if anyone reading this is in need of someone to talk, pray, or just hang out with, Kalsbeek 205 is always open. I can't guarantee I'll know what to say, but I can try. Also know that God is here and He is weeping with you in your pain.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
[1 Corinthians 13:4-8]
