A KIND WORD

Psalm 12:25 "An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up".

This week Dr. Alex Harrison, a Harvard psychiatrist, and her team were here to train the childcare workers and provide support to everyone at the Love and Hope Children's Home.  From the moment they arrived, their impression of what is going on here was very good.  They videotaped children and the interactions with the childcare workers and then used the video to teach and encourage about all the good things that were going on.  It's so encouraging to be uplifted in such a way.  Many times my focus is about what is going wrong or what needs fixed and changed.  I have been reminded this entire week by this team that there is so much good going on that we must keep recognizing in order to go on.  They told us to celebrate "small victories".  The weight of many burdens has been lifted and my mind now has a different perspective.  The kind words and encouragement that this team gave by identifying all the positives in this ministry has cheered me up. 

Not only have their kind words cheered me up, but words from a lot of others and maybe even you.  There has been such a multitude and I can't help from noticing that it is all coming at once.  It really is true that anxiety can weigh you down but kind words cheer you up.  I've experienced that this week and realized how off my perspective has been and how well others can lead me back to a place of peace. 

I am humbled by the kindness that others share when they see the work here.  I am cheered up by the opportunity to see from their eyes, their perspective and from the videos - all the things we are doing to train these kids up in the way they should go.  We are imperfect and we are learning more every day, but for today, there are 25 kids who are not being abused, abandoned or neglected on the streets of El Salvador.