I'm having trouble sitting in my warm, comfy, cozy house today.

I have candles burning and find that the flicker of the flames that normally brings me comfort, today brings reminders of people all around the world living in fear of or in the midst of war and turmoil.

I sit here with a high degree of assurance that all of my baby girls are safe, though scattered. But those flames remind me that there are mommas all around our world that are mourning, searching, grieving, and fearing for their own daughters.

The crackle of the wooden wick normally brings me back to nights around the campfire. Today it makes me think of so many that are walking streets of smoldering, burning buildings where just yesterday groceries were bought, weddings happened, and lives were lived.

Today I am at a loss of how to live my life knowing that so many are in despair and in pain.

I pray for them. The Iraeli mommas and the Palestinian mommas. I imagine most of them would give anything to be waking up this morning to crackling candles and a chance to have assurance of their babies safety. I pray that safety is found, rest is given, and peace prevails.

I pray that somehow through all of this horrible mess, they will see glimpses of Jesus. Maybe through a sunrise, a kind stranger, a page from a Bible, visions, dreams, or a even song. I pray that they will see Him, know Him, and be comforted by Him.

And as for me...

*I will continue to pray and cry out for moms all over the world.

*I will go throughout my day trying to be more aware that the comforts I enjoy are nice, but they are not permanent and not my focus.

*I will pray for the grace and strength to live my life in a way that I can be His hands and feet to those around me, yet also willing to go where He asks me to.

* And finally I will seek to live a life that is not so focused on MY here and now that I forget the world around me.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."  -Acts 1:8