Humakua

Tonight Tiff and I went to volunteer at a youth center in Washington called Humakua.  It's Hawaiian for 'Breath of God'.  

I don't think I'll ever tire of watching what a little loving attention can

do for kids.  There were a bunch of teenagers hanging out there and of course they were talking about what all teenagers talk about; who likes who, who's hot, always trying to show the next person they're better than the next.  They were boistrous and flirty... but when things started to settle down and kids starting leaving, there were only two boys left.  Tiff and I started playing games with them.  We played Ping Pong (which I stink at), Foosball, and Air Hockey.  They became different boys.  The one in particular.  He looked like a rough kid, long hair, skull sweatshirt, and earlier the other kids were joking that his mom didn't even care about him because he didn't have to be home 'til 10:30.  The more we played, the nicer they got...the one kid even let me beat him in Air Hockey.

I wonder what these seemingly confident kids think in the quiet of their own room at night.  Do they feel all empty and alone?  Do they really not feel like their parents love them?  Do they wish they didn't have to be the 'tough guy'?

There is so much hurt in our world.  So much pain.  So much sadness.  Thanks be to God that we know where true happiness comes from.  True peace.  True joy.  True love.

And may we never get too busy to pass it on to those around us.

'But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with

healing in his wings; and you shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.'

Malachi 4:2