“Dr. Edith Eger was just 16 years old when she was taken to Auschwitz with her family. She lost her mother and father to the gas chambers the very day they arrived, and she survived with the help and companionship of her sister. Decades later, when she began a university education in the United States, a young man handed her a copy of Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. She reflects that:
[Frankl] is speaking to me. He is speaking for me. . . . I read this, which is at the very heart of Frankl’s teaching: Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. [1] Each moment is a choice. No matter how frustrating or boring or constraining or painful or oppressive our experience, we can always choose how we respond. And I finally begin to understand that I, too, have a choice. This realization will change my life.
In time Viktor Frankl and Edith Eger developed a friendship and he mentored her as she became a therapist, specializing in treating those suffering from PTSD. At one point, Dr. Eger was invited to return to teach in Germany, where she spent time at both a former mountain retreat of the Nazis, and the labor camp where she was held. Here she reflects on her choice to forgive Reality by forgiving herself:
The choice to accept myself as I am: human, imperfect. And the choice to be responsible for my own happiness. To forgive my flaws and reclaim my innocence. To stop asking why I deserved to survive. To function as well as I can, to commit myself to serve others, to do everything in my power to honor my parents, to see to it that they did not die in vain. To do my best, in my limited capacity, so future generations don’t experience what I did. To be useful, to be used up, to survive and to thrive so I can use every moment to make the world a better place. And to finally, finally stop running from the past. To do everything possible to redeem it, and then let it go. I can make the choice that all of us can make. I can’t ever change the past. But there is a life I can save: It is mine. The one I am living right now, this precious moment. . . .
And to the vast campus of death that consumed my parents and so very many others, to the classroom of horror that still had something sacred to teach me about how to live—that I was victimized but I’m not a victim, that I was hurt but not broken, that the soul never dies, that meaning and purpose can come from deep in the heart of what hurts us the most—I utter my final words. Goodbye, I say. And, Thank you. Thank you for life, and for the ability to finally accept the life that is.”
Reading this heart rending story in a devotional today I was reminded to pause and embrace those that suffered in this horrific time in history. It also reminded me today to remember the sufferings of the “border crises” America is now facing.
Former President Bush spoke this am on this very issue, “Bush added that the “people who are guilty, really guilty, are the people who exploit human misery, and charge money to desperate people, and bring them to the border with no plan to get them into the country.” Read article, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bush-border-crisis-broken-immigration-system
One of our contributors, Debi Chaves, has a son with the Peace Corp, Chris, that is being transferred to the Border to help with the children. Please pray for him and all that are contributing to help at our borders. And, borders in crises around the world.
“The apostles] saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” Acts 2:3 (NIV)
Holy Spirit, come and turn our lives into a deep well that will spring up from within each of us flowing toward others that are in need of thee.
thedailylily.com 
Holy Spirit, may we have tongues of Holy fire to communicate what could be a gift of Your love, mercy, grace and hope to those around us in need. Tongues to communicate to those unemployed, hungry, sick, beaten, abused and those on our list from birth to death. The miracle of communication comes from you and we ask for our tongues to be baptized with holy fire and transformed to Christ and converted to Power words that add mercy sparks to ignite many tongues of fire.
I saw this headline which made my luke warm tongue desire a fire. 43 per cent of Mllennials don’t believe God exist:
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/05/20/survey-43-millennials-dont-know-care-believe-god-exists/
The last few weeks I have been working in an area outside my skill set, yet assisting one that has great skill in the project. I did little in comparison to the one skilled yet I was so tired I thought even chocolate cake won’t help! No, not even my favorite coconuts cake helps.
This project was partially due to others that said we will but didn’t. Yet, the one that didn’t say they would is completing the task. Holy Words are truly a gift from God. Keep watch holy words preform task. Then, fair weather friends with plenty of words sure found a lot of unholy words to pen my way. I must say what they thought funny made me feel like we need to find fresh air.
When I escaped the unholy that made way thru my ear and eye gate and lifted my Bible and meditated on the possibility of healing, help and hope I found energy to hopefully help finish our task. WOW I see the rising of the sun. The Doves in the air with cooing and beauty signifying The Holy Spirit’s work will signal beauty to those that will have tongues of fire saying, I glorify The Heavenly Father. There is a God!
Sara your words are packed with wisdom. And they remind me of this chorus I recall singing:
“The Words of the Lord are pure words, pure words, pure words
The Words of the Lord are pure words
The Words of the Lord are pure
As silver tried in a furnace of earth
Purified, seven times
As silver tired in a furnace of earth
The Words of the Lord are pure.”
And they remind me of this scripture verse: Proverbs 4:7, KJV: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
I think your words and the examples and articles can give us a lot of understanding especially if we can heed the words from the devotional story you shared of Edith Eger, “To be useful, to be used up, to survive and to thrive so I can use every moment to make the world a better place.”
Debi, always loved singing the prayerful praise song, 🎼 acknowledging the purity of God’s words.
So often we take time, energy and resources to find ways to purify our drinking water! And, that is good. Yet, we drink our 8 glasses of filtered water to energize and help cleanse our bodies while spouting off cruel words!
How can that me my thoughts are asking me?
Debi, adding my prayers for your son, team and all that diligently serve @borders on behalf of our our nation to assist with the plight of helpless children from various parts of the world.
I hardly have words to utter to our loving Heavenly Father yet I believe He sent His Son, Jesus into the whole of earth to intervene and aid in the needs of man kind.
I’m encouraged that help is incubating through the words and action of The Son, Jesus, “… Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Matthew 19:14
Dr. Eger’s reflection sure does give one something to ponder. I know she must have been grateful for mentors, like Viktor Frankl, and their friendship? I know I have been grateful for friends, family, mentors, and those whom willingly gave of their time to share, pray, and encourage me. I would like to agree in prayer for Debi’s son, Chris, and all those assisting with the crisis at our borders. 🙏
Tammy, I, too, am very grateful for the many mentors and teachers that have encouraged me in so many areas of my journey.I’m still extremely grateful for those that continue to share, pray, encourage and help guide me in so many new endeavors.
I greatly love truth tellers because its a stream of energizing love. As I paused to think about those for which I am grateful the thought some serve me in China plates and some in paper plates yet the burger taste the same.
Updated news on children at the border…
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57149721
Thank you Sara and Tammy for prayers for son Chris and I, too, join with you in prayers for “team and all that diligently serve @borders on behalf of our our nation to assist with the plight of helpless children from various parts of the world.”
The updated news article you shared, Sara, really shows the suffering of these children and families, I think your words do offer hope and spur us on to prayer for them, “I hardly have words to utter to our loving Heavenly Father yet I believe He sent His Son, Jesus into the whole of earth to intervene and aid in the needs of man kind.”
Sara, you said, “As I paused to think about those for which I am grateful the thought some serve me in China plates and some in paper plates yet the burger taste the same.” I think that is a good illustration for us to know that we are all such different vessels; with different gifts and abilities; yet able to serve and help do our part in nourishing and care.
Debi, I so agree with how “different …yet gifted to serve and do our part…”
Many of us have mentors we never met yet changed us in vibrant, healthy and joyful ways. They have often inspired and maybe prompted us to take a road less traveled by those we know but opened a vocation that may have surprised even our psyche when our vocation route opened onto a major highway! ——Florence Nightingale remains a mentor for many that serve in various capacities.
“Live your life while you have it. Life is a splendid gift. There is nothing small in it.”
—Florence Nightingale
Often I have to open my mind and heart in big ways when communicating with God in prayer for myself and others.. Recently Tammy’s Robin’s nest from nest-eggs-worms-wings gave wings to, “life is a splendid gift” and “there is nothing small about it.”
There is never anything small about life and The Creator of life. I have no say about political, legal, financial and things related to “border crises.” I do have great say about the life and care of “a child” left without a parent, food or care.
My Mentor The Psalmist and the Rev Jerry Smith taught me well, “ “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalms 19:14 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/psa.19.14.nlt
“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair.”
Psalms 19:7-9 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/psa.19.7-9.nlt
My prayers go out to Chris. I know he will make a difference wherever he goes. So many Migrant children – babies to teenagers. So sad to have seen a 10 year hold who was left behind in the desert without a parent to find his way to the U.S. cover come with tears and seeing a liittle girl with a younger girl who was weeping and her sister or a older child trying to comfort. A scene undoubtedly repeated over and over. Matthew19 NIV Jesus said, “ Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belong to such as these. Luke 12:7 says But even the hairs of your head all have been numbered… “Therefore you shall not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows. (you includes are all people (Immigrants and people around the world.), All who know love of Jesus. . John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 15:13 says “ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me
Summary God made you special. He died on the cross for you. Believe in Jesus and then He calls you friends and prepares a place for you in heaven.
“.
One of my favorites songs to teach children to children and whom adults to is” Jesus Loves Me
May all who believe sing with their heart:
Jesus loves Me
Heartbreaking news about these children, I have no words.💔😢 🙏 Thanks for sharing the song above, Rena. I like a lot of Chris Tomlin’s music.
This is the lyrics I grew up with
Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so
Jesus loves me, He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide
He will wash away my sin
Let His little child come in
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so
The Bible tells me so
Source: Musixmatch
With computer problems I’d ask you to go to u tube and play
I wanted to provide an update regarding my son Chris’s transfer to the Border. He has not been transferred there, but is on “stand-by” should they need him to go. Thank you for your prayers. I continue to join in prayers for this situation and as Sara wrote, “all that are contributing to help at our borders. And, borders in crises around the world.”
We continue to pray for the children and families suffering from the multi nations and the multi tragedies humans of all ages are finding themselves. Very few, if any, human answers from multi governments.
Our VP in a number of nations delivering millions of American dollars or aide. I’ve never understood why? This is not new government this is old. I’m not even trying to say why the poor remain in poverty and without a nation to call their own.
As a person of faith and prayer it sounds useless to many that are starving to day we are praying.
Yet, we pray, we speak up and we help collectively with our voices, actions and tax dollars. Awareness and not denial may help pressure governments to see the poverty and act.
What hard choses the parents of the young children have to go throughwgeb deciding to send their children to the border. In their country there is so much evil as some follow their Father the devil. the evil ones want much money and if they stay in their country want the lives the lives of children growing up there . A friend of mine said she listens to many and they say horrid things happen. Like evil ones grab children and do evil they have set in their minds to do to the children right in front of their homes. The parents are forced to watch.The parents say it is worth it to get their children out of the country. It takes every cent they have with none for them. Throwing money at the evil orchestrated by the devil will not stop the evil. Jesus is the only one. God hates evil done to the poor the needy. The person who has heard so many stories says the people who come here who get deported say they will try again. They can’t wait to get to USA but others within hate what they desire.
The Lord sees all. I love the scripture”let the little children come to me… we are all children. may those who come to help the migrants like Chris and others: may they be God’s instrument. May they let the migrants know Hebrew 13: 5-6 I will never (Jesus) will never leave you nor forsake you. boldly say, “ The Lord is your helper. Do not fear!
Have faith in God the sun will shine, Though dark the clouds may be today; His (God’s) has planned your path and mine. Have faith in God have faith always.
May they know that Jesus loves them. That He died for their sins. So Believe!
Know that (Ps 30:5) says Weeping may come at night, but joy comes in the morning. I heard a pastor say,
When God created the earth darkness covered it. The came the light.
Jesus was born in the night but was the Light of the world.
Remember Jesus who died for our sins. He was placed in a dark tomb. In the morning He arose and there was Joy!!! Jesus the Light fulfilled what He came to do. Die for our sins. He now stands at the door of everyone’s heart waiting for you to knock as He wants to be in your heart and this answer will enable Him to show you your forever home and have you meet His Father.
Remember there is JOY in the house when you have Jesus in your heart and He is always there. I tell my Sunday School class JOY stands for Joy Over You!
Remember Jesus is waiting for your knock.