It's up to us.

I'm going to start off with a fair warning that this will likely come off as more of a rant than a conversation but I want you to know that it's genuine, more than genuine, in fact. 
When I listen to this song, a large part of me just wants to scream out "WHY?!" Why are there children out there that are lonely and brokenhearted? Why are there children who have lost their innocence before they could spell innocence? Where are their parents? 
Now, don't get me wrong, I more than most understand that sometimes parents just don't have it in them to be parents, and that's fine. As long as those blessed children are in one way or another exactly that: blessed. I also understand that when children are removed from their biological parents it opens doors for individuals that for whatever reason cannot bare their own then it becomes a double blessing, both for the children who receive parents and parents that receive children. That's all wonderful. Believe me, it is. 
But what about the parents that just don't try? The ones that could be, teach, show, learn, so much more? What's their excuse? Not being a parent I obviously don't fully understand the struggle and the challenge of parenting but having raised younger siblings took away all oblivity on the matter as well. 
As I look around my city, especially within the organizations and childrens' camps that I am a part of, I can't help but feel like it is time for parents to step up and be parents. For them to genuinely engage in their offsprings' lives. To no longer be a by-stander or merely an observer the growing up process that is this life. 
Do me a favour and dig into the abyss of your childhood memories; what do you find there? what moments stick out? more importantly, what people stick out? 
If it's not your parents, who is it? And why? 
And for any of you sitting there reading this, and you can't help but find someone to blame for your lacking involvement in the parental sector - whether it be minor or major, take a step back and consider this: investment is a choice.
Every one of us has a choice, our own choice. More than one in fact, but for this purpose let's just stick with singular form.  
Look at the children in your life, even if you're not a parent, everyone has children in their lives in one forum or another.
How are you going to choose to influence their little malleable lives? 

I believe in potential. But I also believe that potential cannot become reality if it is not fueled  Children have hopes, dreams, and potential - and all three in excess - where does that go when we grow up? Picasso once said that 'every child is born an artists, the problem is then to remain an artist as we grow up'. Okay, so maybe not every child is destined to grow up and become an artist, but I do believe that every child is meant to grow up and be something great. I don't just mean doctors, lawyers, and teachers - society needs someone for every facet of life and career. But also believe that before you can love anything else you first have to love yourself - something I think begins as a child... 

I guess all I'm trying to say is that we as adults both young and old have an unwritten responsibility to bring up a generation of children that truly believe they can do anything. We have the power, we just need the effort applied to the ideas and passion for a better tomorrow - I believe it's possible and I believe it is right in front of us. 

Cheers.


I love this song, it's what inspired this post, but I don't think we need to have it be so relateable anymore:

This one’s for the lonely child
Broken-hearted, running wild
This was written for the ones to blame
One who believes they are the cause of chaos and everything

You may find yourself in the dead of night
Lost somewhere up in the great big beautiful sky
You were all just perfect little satellites
Spinning round and round this broken earthly life

This is so you know the sound
Someone who loves you from the ground
Tonight you’re not alone at all
This is me sending out my satellite call

This is so you’ll know the sound
Someone who loves you from the ground
Tonight you’re not alone at all
This is me sending out my satellite call

Sunshine doodles on bookshelves.

Exactly three months ago to this day, Tuesday April 23, I had one of the most...interesting, intense, worst, best, crazy, calming, peaceful, riprolling, eye-opening...and above all life changing nights of my short little life. I can't say that I didn't see events coming that started the preceding description of the night, but I will tell you that I didn't expect things to turn out remotely on the same planet much less even in the category as they did.
I can retell the events of that night to you like it just happened five minutes ago, and well, actually, I'm going to:
You see, I had been back in town for three days after finishing my school-year...and as previously mentioned this night being discussed was a Tuesday - that means it was Fusion down at our local Freedom House and to add some flavour it was State of the Union Communion.
I got back from volunteering about an hour before I had to be at the church and less than 10 minutes after arriving, all hell broke loose. Now, don't get me wrong, all relational-units, otherwise known as families, have their issues, but this time - this night - it was the end..and well the beginning but that part doesn't come til later.
To save you the details worthy of Jerry Springer, let's just say it was loud, and that I left.
Oh, right, just to be clear - the loudness though caused by my presence, I had no part in it - solely observation. When I left, it was to go to the grocery store to get food for State of the Union: not out of rage. I was hoping the seas would be calmed by the time I came back from the grocery store... this was not the case. My immediate reaction was to head down to the laundry room where I had just finished all of my "Home-From-University-Laundry" grabs pajamas and clothes for the next day, and to get out.
And just that, I did:
I left again. In tears this time. Feeling nothing but unlovable and unwanted, I headed to the church.
What happens next however is the part I never would've expected to happen:
A Facebook message came through on my phone only moments before arriving at the church. And through my tearfilled eyes I read:

The timing of this message was impeccable. At the very moment that those words showed up on my phone, I remember myself thinking, what am I going to do? where am I going to go? how am I going to do this?
So after a lot of tears, prayer, more tears and more prayer: I built up the courage and I went over after Fusion.
Did I mention neither of the people listed above had any idea of what was going on in my life prior to me receiving that message?

That night 3 months ago, and every night since; I have known the power and hope found in love.
Don't ask me how it works because so far I haven't figured it out and truthfully I think I may have stopped wondering all together... but I do know this, it's true:

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.

So much has changed for me in the last 3 months...I could list it all, but that would take a long time and to be honest: I've lost count...as much as the things that have changed have now changed in my life forever...I can promise you that I wouldn't have it any other way.

I   am   so   blessed.