While we have been going about our day to day lives, there has been a battle raging in Aleppo. Its easy to hide behind the comfort of our screens and scroll, skip, and disregard the daily news happening outside of our country. I know that I am guilty of this sometimes. When scrolling through Facebook I don't always click on the sad news story because I don't want to hear the painful truth that others have to live with. Buildings are being bombed on a daily basis, children are being executed with a bullet to the head, women are being sexually assaulted or committing suicide to avoid it , and hospitals have run out of room or been destroyed. Did you know any of this? Maybe you saw it on your timeline or you saw it on the news. You felt bad but within 24 hours it quickly left your mind and your busy schedule soon came flooding back.
I'm not giving a lecture because I know how it goes. We let the things that we deem important control our mind. We need to remember our grocery list and schedule more than a graphic image of a bloody child. Our hearts pour out on social media as we share the sad and disturbing videos of a child crying as he struggles to breathe after the chlorine gas entered his body. We share that video and move on because we did our part to spread the message. What if we did a little more? These people are human beings who need more than a simple share or like on Facebook. They need to feel loved and they need to feel hope.
All I ask this Christmas season is for you to let the reality of the world come into your life. The people of Syria matter and they need us. Take a minute out of your day to educate yourself on what's happening. Watch, listen, read and get a glimpse of their reality. These are human beings just like us. Imagine living in hell every day with no escape. Imagine having people turn their backs on you when your in desperate need for help.
Recognize:
Recognize the pain and torment these people feel and educate yourself. Listen to their voice. Don't let them go unnoticed, unloved, and unheard.
Pray:
As a Christian, I know the power of prayer. Even if you don't believe in God please just think of these people and wish for their safety.
Take Action:
Don't just share a video and feel that you did something. Go out and spread awareness, donate your money / time to the people. Think of what you would want if our country was a war zone. What would you want people to do? Do it! Help those in need... after all this is the season of giving is it not?
Please allow the pain to enter your life and take a moment to mourn with those who lost loved ones, hurt with those who are suffering, and pray for those who need hope. The people of Syria matter and their voices need to be heard.
