We were singing "Did you feel the mountains tremble" the other night. The whole family was worshipping around the television--something weird and new for us in France. Our church back in Dallas sent us DVDs of services we've missed, so we were worshipping along with our friends, months and miles apart. Until we plant a church here, this is one way we are gathering to worship the Lord as a family.
In the middle of the song is a line about dancers dancing upon injustice.
Julia piped in, "I love justice."
I agreed with her. After having some of her experiences at school, I can imagine why she believes in it. The cafeteria ladies yell at her and berate her for not eating her food. Her teacher grabbed her little blonde head once. Julia was gazing out the window as the French teacher rambled on and on in a language she didn't understand. When she later recounted the incident, Julia said, "Mommy, I was just looking out the window because our home was that way. I wanted to see our home." The teacher grabbed her head, wrenched it toward her desk and forced her head toward her work. Julia came home with a neck ache and a heart bent toward justice.
Aidan probably loves justice too. Today a boy in his class called him a name I can't print here, told him his picture of a preying mantis was bad and that he was a stupid kid.
Sophie today had a girl who she used to call friend ridicule her in French. Sophie had fallen on the long jump and had the breath knocked out of her. She was crying and her friend said, "Look at that English speaker crying." Another girl asked where. She pointed to Sophie and said, "That thing--over there." Ahhhh, how I long for justice!
So, like Julia, I love justice. My initial reaction to these incidences has been to call down fire upon these folks! But, as I reflect, pray, and take a few breaths, I realize that Jesus is and will be the Holder of Justice. My job (and the difficult job of my children) is to love those who persecute us.
Tonight we prayed for Aidan and Sophie's friends (I use the term loosely) and Julia's teacher. We prayed for them to be lights for their friends and teachers and prayed that somehow, some way these poor, broken people would come to know Jesus.
On another note, please pray for our youngest two children--there is lice going around their school. Please pray they'd be protected. (Why did God make lice?)
Ruminating on justice and nits,
relevantgirl
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12 comments:
I don't look for demons under every rock, but I'm pretty convinced Satan is attacking you and Patrick through your children. What parent wouldn't be appalled at the way other kids treat their children? It weakens your resolve and makes you ask -- What the heck did we do?
You'll be in my prayers.
Jen Peacock
Thanks for your prayers. Our life has been a whirlwind of difficulty since we got here, but there has been snapshots of grace swirling about. I have no doubt the enemy hates us being here.
relevantgirl
Thinking on Aidan's and Sophie's persecution brought to mind a third-party quote of a Frenchman. The Frenchman said "Americans believe we French have a special hatred for them. But, the truth is we hate everyone, equally."
It's easy for me on this side of the Atlantic to say: count it all joy. The DeMuth family is always in my heart and I intercede for you, not enough, but I do.
I pray the love of God be shed abroad in your hearts.
I am praying with you. I can't think of anything harder than watching our children suffer. But God will use it in their lives. His grace is available to them every moment, and I pray they will drink of it so deeply, they will love grace and mercy even more than justice.
Love you. And justice. Not nits.
Oh, the injustice of seeing your children suffer! We want to jump on those who mistreat them as a mother lion would to protect her cubs.
The one time my claws came out was when my daughter was about two years old and one of the women in the nursery at church got so harsh with her, she cried on the way home from church. I called that lady the next morning to give her a piece of my mind. I didn't care if she WAS the Pastor's wife. LOL!
I'll pray for you and your family. You, no doubt, are being tempered and tried for your ministry. May God bless you! - Donna
Mary,
We are and will continue to pray for you and Patrick and Sophie, Aidan, and Julia.
David Ochoa
Mary:
I sympathize completely. My son has multiple disabilities and I truly know the pain you feel at seeing your children ridiculed by students and staff as well as bullied by teachers.
Even though it's tough, our children are stronger than we know. My son is one of the most forgiving, loving, and graceful people I know because of his trials and his faith. He is mature beyond his years. I pray that your children will have a similar response to the trials they face in their school-life in France.
I'm praying for you always,
Blessings (Your Timothy)
Karen
ps Not sure why God invented lice ... or fleas. Yikes!
Oh Mary,
My mother heart simply screams at these stories. I have to pray often about a boy on the hockey team that picks on my sons . . . but I can't imagine being in a foreign country and having everything new and difficult and being treated this way on top of it. I can't imagine how the children feel or how you feel. I'm so glad Jesus does.
Dear Lord Jesus,
You understand suffering at a level I've not yet discovered. Please give Mary peace that passes understanding, a deep rest in your love, an abiding foundation in you. Fill her with the ability to forgive those who've hurt her children and give her exactly the right words to bring healing to her children's hearts. Do a miraculous work, Lord, in her children. What the enemy means for evil, turn for good. Give them wisdom, strength, and grace beyond their years. Give them moments of great delight and a security in your love that most kids their age don't even know how to think about. Please surround them with your protection and give them moments of revelation that help them understand and respond to their circumstances. Please strengthen and bless their precious family. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Mary, had my own little painful moment this week. I wrote about it on my blog and then it turned into a devotion on abiding in the Lord, sent out this week through http://www.soulscents.us It's in the archives now listed on the site by date. Don't know if it would encourage you, but it helped me to process. :o)
Blessings! Christ shines in you.
Mrs. DeMuth,
Lauren showed me this site yesterday. It's good to actually hear from you. I miss yall so much, and I am glad you are okay. Injustice is horrible, I agree with you on that (and Julia). I want you to know that our whole family prays for you daily, at least 7 times a day! Please let Julia, Adian, and especially Sophie I think of them often, and pray for them. I hope when you come here to publish your book you can stay with us. It will make life much easier for me (at least).
Sending all of the LeTourneau love and prayer,
Kate LeTourneau
Sophie, Aidan, and Julia,
You brave soldiers of Christ. I feel so blessed to know three such courageous people who God is already using in France. I pray you will put on the armor of God that you may withstand these attacks of the devil and that you will show these people so much of Jesus's love that they will be blown away!
Many prayers are being lifted up on your behalf from the mountains of Albuquerque.
You three are awesome.
Sophie, Aidan, and Julia,
You brave soldiers of Christ. I feel so blessed to know three such courageous people who God is already using in France. I pray you will put on the armor of God that you may withstand these attacks of the devil and that you will show these people so much of Jesus's love that they will be blown away!
Many prayers are being lifted up on your behalf from the mountains of Albuquerque.
You three are awesome.
Mary,
I loved this post [just noticed it's 5 yrs. old!]. Good job, mom, for teaching your kids about justice and about how important it is to our God.
On the subject of lice, I always think back to Corrie TenBoom's Holocaust account of how their barrack's lice infestation kept Nazi soldiers out of their quarters, allowing them to share the Gospel undisturbed. It is amazing that God would choose to use an annoying and seemingly useless insect to his glory! Not sure how that might apply to your kids, but something praiseworthy to think on.
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