REAL

Hello! It's Friday and I am participating in 5 minute Friday with the Gypsy Mama...love when I get to do this. Though I really shouldn't be, I should be WORKING (*mental slap*). But, hey. What's 5 minutes?

This week's prompt is REAL.
The Rules:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back to Gypsy Mama and invite others to join in. (Come on, join in!)

REAL. I don't know what that is right now. Should I be hiding? Should I be protecting? What is real and what is just an overactive imagination?
Let me explain.
This past two weeks there have been about 6 different situations that have come to my attention randomly. All tragic, all heartbreaking, and all having to do with children. For example- 1. a mother just a few miles away from my house was shot multiple times and her 3 day old baby was stolen. The mom died. But the baby is safe with it's family. 2. I get a random email as a request to read a book on International Child Trafficking. And then I get the email again. And then again. 4. I click on a link that was posted and it's a facebook app that shows a crazy guy getting all my information and pouring over photos of my son. Then he's driving to my house with a photo of Jackson on his dashboard. (if you are brave, the website is this: takethislollipop.com) 5. I see that one of my 365 friends (whose wife was only 24 weeks pregnant with twins) had to have an emergency C and their baby boy, Julian, didn't make it. Chloe is doing better...but my heart is breaking for them over Julian. Just breaking. 6. I found a post about a family that just experienced the worst thing ever: their car was hit by a methed up man in a Suburban on Christmas Eve. They are seriously injured, their son...not even Jackson's age- was taken off life support a little while ago. And there were photographs of their son in their last moments with him. (yes, that gut wrenching cry that you want to do right now? yes, I understand that.) Do you want to read their poignant and heartbreaking blog? Well, HERE it is if you do. I'll warn you though, IT HURTS.
WHY am I being shown these things? It's not like I'm searching for them. Oh if I could run fast and far away from them I would. I promise you. I'm not strong and I'm certainly not capable of dealing with very emotional things, even regarding other people I don't even know. I am a sensitive, sensitive person. Even the cartoon Tarzan gave me nightmares.
But I spoke to my good friend Chris yesterday about his thoughts on this. Am I being shown this stuff for a reason? Should I have REAL fear? Am I being warned?!? I will not lie and say I am not afraid. Because I am. Plain and simple.
But Chris, who is one of the most in touch with God people I've ever met gives me another alternative to think of.
First- God would NEVER put fear in me. That fear is not coming from Him.
Second- and he said it so matter of fact- Sounds like you are being called for ministry in this area.

For real?? I am not cut out for that I don't think. I am an emotional wreck. I want to cling to my son and never, ever let him out of my sight much less my arms. I never want to get in a car again. I cannot do this.

And then I am reminded of what's real.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
-Philippians 4:13

And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
-Matthew 19:26

God uses those who are the most unexpected and feel the most unworthy to accomplish His glory. Could that be what this is about? Maybe.