Guest Post from Abbie

Hey, so this is a piece that my best friend Abbie wrote awhile back. I really liked it, so I asked her if I could post it, and she said yes. (Yay!) You can check her out here. =) 
Toodles! ~L.

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"So, at Oneblaze, God spoke to me. He said, "Go talk to those people."

And I said, "Mmm, no." Here's a hint. When talking to an all powerful God, don't say no. It doesn't usually end up well.

God spoke again. He was like, "No, really. Go talk to that family. Look, Isaac is sitting with them. You already have an open door."

And I said, "Okay, God. You win."

Apparently, God is smart or something, because he knew what he was doing, sending me to talk to these people. Funny how that happens, the God of the Universe being in control of situations and all. But anyways.

There's this girl. Her name is Olivia. She has long blonde hair and trusting blue eyes. She's five years old. This is her brother, Hayden.  This is John. He takes care of them. She likes this movie, How to Train Your Dragon. She's seen it before. She laughs at Isaac for being scared of the dragons. Olivia's not scared. She doesn't even flinch when they come roaring on screen.

Olivia likes Justin Bieber. Her seven year old brother doesn't. They argue for a while about whether or not Justin is gay. And I wonder... do they really know what that means? Or are they just spitting out the gossip they've heard over and over?

There's a pause.

And then, out of the blue, Olivia states - "My dad is in jail. Sometimes, Mom doesn't have enough food for us."

I think my heart will break.

But Olivia doesn't seem to be in pain. She doesn't act embarassed. These are just more facts about her life, stated in the same way she describes how much she likes popcorn.

We talk about her dad for a little while. How long has he been in jail? Does she miss him? But Olivia's five year old brain can't stay focused for long. Soon, she is talking about the movie again.

I feel like crying for her. But I can't. She doesn't need my sympathy. She's independent, tough. She doesn't want my sympathy.

So what can I do for her, God?

Almost without thinking I ask Oilvia if I can braid that long, blonde, beautiful hair. She looks at me then, and there is something in those eyes - a longing, a hunger for love.

Oh, Olivia. What is your life like?

I take my time doing her hair. It's difficult, since she won't stay still. She keeps turning her head around to look at me and talk to me.

There. Finished. Olivia runs her hands over her hair several times, and then looks up at me -

"Can you do TWO?"

I laugh, and take out the braid to being again. Breanne sacrifices her own ponytail holder for the cause. This time, Olivia sits more quietly for me. Once, she shivers. It's getting a bit chilly.

She watches some people hugging, and seems a bit werided out. Why are they doing that? I ask Olivia if she likes hugs, and she thinks for a little bit before responding. Yes, she likes hugs. A hug like this? She giggles. "Do it again!" that hunger in her eyes pleads. So I do - and this time, she hugs back. Her laugh is loud and clear and beautiful. I smile.

No sooner is the second braid finished before she is asking "Can you do THREE?" Three braids? Are you sure? I've never done three before, I tell her. It might look funny. But she just turns around, sits in front of me, and waits.

I beg another ponytail holder from Ambar. But the minute I begin braiding again she is already asking...

"Can you do ELEVEN?"" 

Who inspires you?

I've come to realize that there's a difference between inspirational "heroes" and people who inspire me. While no one would refute George Washington as an iconic leader, or Mother Teresa's impact on the world, most "inspiring" people don't get me motivated in the mornings.

What really inspires me is the teenagers my age who are not afraid to speak out. I've learned over the last several years that many teens and young adults have passed into a 'political burn out' phase. So many politicians are self-serving and harsh, leaving little room for spreading anything close to a message of hope for a lost world.

So we sit at home deciding to leave politics to the political nuts because in our books, we can't show love to people if we are politically involved. (Note: 'politically involved' could mean anything from running for office, helping on a campaign, or simply holding up a sign saying abortion isn't the answer.)

A recent example: I've heard people say that abortion is evil, but laws aren't going to change the people. It's the people we should be working to help. This is one of the hardest ideas for me to face because there really is some truth in that. Changing laws will not necessarily change people.

So, the problem I run up against is not liberal lefties who want to challenge my views, but disillusioned teens who want little or nothing to do with political anything. They agree with what I'm saying, but have no plans to actually get involved.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying that working to change hearts is not important. I think it is, but I feel that we can't be afraid to change things politically as well as changing individuals.

So, who inspires me? Teens who will step out and tell anyone who will listen what they believe. Teens who will share their dreams for the future. Teens who are not afraid to be labeled as "out there" or "that political kid." Teens who want to make a difference.

Those are the people who make me want to get up and do something.