the strongest woman I know

Today I got to sit and listen to stories from a woman who lived through and witnessed a great deal of the First and Second Intifada. Her stories left me speechless as she showed us the damage from where her house was bombed, and spoke of a time when her and her sister hid in the back corner of their house praying for survival. Her eyes welled up with tears as the much too recent memories played again in her head. And I couldn't help but feel absolutely clueless about what this kind of pain feels like.

Psalm 34:18

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

In spite of all the horrific stories, she shared about her faith in the Lord and about her passion to see the school as a light in a dark place. She switched so easily from sorrow to joy as the topics changed and her lively, contagious laughter soon filled the room. I am reminded again that the Lord is all we need. He is so close to the broken hearts that run to him. He is joy in situations that seem hopeless. He understands the depth of pain and blesses us with joy.