On our living room floor!
You could be forgiven for thinking it's my three children fighting.
I admit, that has been known to happen from time to time... but very rarely of course! {eh-hem}
But, no, this battle has been raging on and off for the past few days and it involves little, plastic, army soldiers.
Tobi recently bought a pack of "army" toys containing soldiers, tanks, flags, camouflage and lots of other bits and pieces, with his own money.
I was slightly hesitant at first as to whether he would even play with his new toys (this is the first of this type he's been interested in) but I have since been amazed at how all three kids have spent so much time setting up their armies, planning out their battles and organizing their equipment.
Honestly, there's a part of me (due to my peace-loving nature) that wants to shield my children from playing "fighting" games.
I like games where Eliana gets out all her toys and dolls, sets up the chalk board and pretends to be the teacher. I enjoy card games, craft, Little People or ponies...
But recently I have been challenged by the fact that actually we all do battle every day- in some way or another.
For some, it's for basic survival needs.
Other people battle with their spouse on a continual basis.
And still others, have to fight for many freedoms that I know I often take for granted.
It does my head in to think that while my small children are playing army men on our carpet rug, other children their ages {not that far away} are fleeing burnt down homes, running from land mines and trying to find safety; fighting just to stay alive.
In hospital wards all around the world, children battle cancers and other life-threatening illnesses every single day and then in many African villages the walk just to retrieve fresh water requires more effort than most of us care to think about.
And then I thought about Dave and I... about all of us who work for ZOE. We fight a battle every day too.
A fight for those who can't fight for themselves.
And it made me think. There are good things to fight for.
In the Bible, Paul tells us to “compete in the good fight of faith.” For Christians, fighting doesn’t mean proving our strength by hurting others.
The “fight” that Paul talks about involves standing up for what we believe in and value, striving to be the people God calls us to be, and persevering in the face of whatever challenges come our way.
You gotta know, there are an estimated 27 million slaves in the world right now. Of those trafficked across international borders, it is believed that half are under the age of 18 years old.
It's just NOT right.
According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world.
And it doesn't just happen in Thailand.
It happens in Australia, in America... it happens everywhere!
There is a battle going on and I encourage you to get involved and join us in this fight...to end human trafficking in our generation.
Australians click here.
Americans click here.
3 comments:
Amazing Andie!! Thanks for posting!! You are full of so much wisdom!! Keep up the good fight! I miss you and your family.
Thanks Kaylee. We all miss you too. Knowing that you'll do great in this next season though and excited to see how God will use you. Love Andie.
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