Courageously Soft Hearts

 

Year 8-Day 362: Today, I am grateful for courageously soft hearts.

For those who cry at Hallmark and coffee commercials... this post of for you. 

"Having a soft heart in a cruel world is courage, not weakness." -Unknown 

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." - Proverbs 4:23

It doesn't take too many years to realize the world is full of cruel characters. They are only concerned with their own wants, wishes and desires. They can be found in high places and holding powers they use with reckless abandon to meet their own agendas. 

There are many tender hearted healthcare workers,  exhausted from the daily grind of sick patients. Their patients are sick and faced with deep loneliness in this healthcare this season where visitors are not allowed. Their patient's bodies need healing and their souls are aching. Thank you to medical care teams including the social workers, activity workers and housekeepers who try to fill the void when families cannot visit. May God grant you the endurance you need to press on.

I am grateful for the tenderhearted cashiers, stock people and baggers at Kroger who take a little extra time with the elderly who only go out for food. Your kindness may be the only human interaction they receive for the day... and maybe even for several days. 

I am grateful for the courageous, caring flight attendants who observe little girls with big scared eyes and controlling companions who sound the alarm for possible human trafficking victims. 

Today is day 27 in a dress. I'm tired of the dress (and I love dresses) Dressember raises money to fight, rescue, recover and restore the lives of children, women and men caught in the dark world of human trafficking. 

My mother's father drove a truck across the country for many years. He was a tender hearted man. He had seven daughters. I like to think he would have been a part of "Truckers Against Trafficking" if he were alive today. They are one of the organizations partnering with Dressember. Like flight attendants, they see things in truck stops, chartered busses and on the road. They are on the frontline of this battle. They are finding ways to work with law enforcement. They are training drivers to recognize possible human trafficking. They have identified 1278 victims. 

I have just a few days left in a dress. Thank you to all who have donated to support this cause that is dear to my heart. It supports the warriors who rescue and those who help tend to the wounded. It even helps the rescued have their day in court. If human trafficking is a cause that moves your heart... there is still time to donate. (It is tax deductible and Dressember sends a receipt.)

https://dressember2020.funraise.org/fundraiser/valerie-smith-3128011

We live in the world and the world can be ugly. We can choose to stand up to injustice and to reach out to those who need help and hope. 

Today, I am grateful for courageously soft hearts.