Running Away from Home

They run away. They are thrown away.

According to the National Runaway Safeline, between 1.6-2.8 million youth run away or are "thrown away" each year in the United States.

That is staggering, heartbreaking.

If you are a person directly impacted by this, know that you are not alone, neither in plight or assistance. There are people like you all over the world, who have run away, are considering it or who are waiting for their loved ones to return. There are many others nearby who want to help you and stand by you as you search for answers and work towards resolution.

https://www.1800runaway.org/

A human life is so much more valuable than a misunderstanding, wrong turn or a little dirt. Does a $100 bill not retain its value even after being tossed into the trash or dropped in the mud? It can be ripped in half and still be worth the same. As are YOU just as precious and valuable. You are worth finding and holding onto, even if it means getting up to the elbows in dirty tissue and crusty mac 'n' cheese.

As we travel through this life, let us help people become aware of the fact, or remind them, that they are worth their weight in gold and so much more. (That's a lot considering gold is currently $16,624 per pound) They are worth the extra miles and extra moments of care to let them know just how precious they are.

Ephesians 2:4-9

I try to ask God each day, before stepping out the front door, that He will show me at least one person who needs that extra bit of encouragement for their day or week or life

And this is the confidence that we have toward him,

that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

1 John 5:14

Going out of my way to tell a complete stranger, "You are worth it; you are loved," is admittedly out of my comfort zone, but a little growth in that department is never a bad thing. Will you join with me in broadening our comfort zones for those in need?

Think of the breadth of the cross.

A cup of cocoa in his or her hand and some earnest words of compassion does not even compare to the magnitude of the cross, but can have a more positive impact than we may ever know.