I’ve had a few friends from back home contact me recently to lay some burdens down.
“Sorry to be throwing my problems at you, but I really miss you and I really need a friend right now.”
“I realize this isn’t encouraging, and I’d really like to send you encouragements as you’re out there doing work.”
You are essentially apologizing for being my friend. But as a friend, I want to bear the burden of love with you. I wasn’t your friend out of convenience. And the distance serves as further proof. It takes effort, it takes intention, but you’re worth it to me.
Just because I’m in Malawi or Thailand or Serbia doesn’t mean part of my heart isn’t with you in the states. Part of my heart is wherever you are. I’m doing work here, yes. You’re doing work there too. You need love & support as much as I do. And I want to give that to you. The work I’m doing isn’t any more special than the work you’re doing as you commute to your job or sit at home raising your kids.
I’m burdened by your struggle, but I find genuine joy when you let me walk with you through it. I want to show up even when I’m 7000 miles away. I want to be there for you any way I can, regardless of the time of day or the weight of the problem. Let me.
So basically, I don’t accept your apology.
We are spending our last week in Thailand serving Free Burma Rangers (FBR), a multi-ethnic humanitarian service movement working to bring help, hope, and love to people in the conflict areas of Burma, Iraq, and Sudan. FBR trains, supplies, and coordinates teams to provide emergency medical care, shelter, food, clothing and human rights documentation.
They are some of the most hardcore group of men and women I have ever met. I went on a hike with them one morning and died. A few times. But they were very humble and encouraging every step up and down that mountain.
Please find out more about Free Burma Rangers at http://www.freeburmarangers.org/
