Children all over the world make me smile :)

How can you not love these precious faces?

Mondays can be rough. Nobody likes rolling out of bed after a {satisfying, relaxing, full, lovely} weekend to return to the daily grind. Whether you sit behind a desk or drive a bus or, whether you bring home the bacon, or the bacon bits, whether you're living the dream or just scraping by, whether you're doing what you love or doing what you have to--everyone needs a reason to go to work in the morning.

And these children are mine:)

I don't know their names and I've never met them. I don't know where they live or what they like to do for fun.

But I know that 1.1 billion people in the world don't have access to clean drinking water.
I know that every 7 seconds a child dies from hunger. I know that there are 27 million slaves in the world today- more than ever. I know that 1 million children are exploited in the global commericial sex trade every year. I know that there is so much hurt in the world, and I know that I want to be a force against it.

I've never had a passion for a career. I've always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. And maybe just because I'm wired that way, law school can sometimes have me looking around at early mornings and the late nights, the memos and exams, interships and resumes- and i wonder what in the world I'm doing. I grumble at the alarm clock and the casebooks. Then I take a deep breath. I think of their faces. I think of all that I have been given and all that I have. I think of the resources before me. I think of how so many could never dream of a world where women can be empowered, and children can go to school. A world where you don't fall asleep in fear and hunger every night. A world where you don't work 20 hour days to pay off an impossible debt. A world where you are FREE. And I think of how law school is an invaluable tool, how the things I learn could impact them forever. I think about how if they had the opportunity to do what I take for granted, they would read the casebooks cover to cover without complaint. I know the power that law can have in the pursuit of justice.

So I'm looking at Monday differently. Monday is a day where I gain a few more ounces of knowledge and experience. I am one day closer to having the skills that will make my passion a reality. It's a beaituful day. a fortunate day. a day set in place by the creater and orchestrator of the universe, and I am so excited to find out what He has in store.

Some scripture that speaks to my heart:

when I forget that I am weak, but He is strong:

Psalm 35:10
My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

when I forget that nothing I have is truly mine:

Proverbs 3:27-28
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow” when you now have it with you.

when I feel like getting lazy:

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

When the cause seems too big or I feel too small:

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

What are your passions? why do you get up and GO in the morning?

Be refreshed and encouraged as you embark on this exciting week!!