They Came First for the _________

I believe this still holds true today. Some may change the categories to ethnicity, children (ie. abortion, fostering, orphans, etc.), human trafficking, or even beliefs, etc. What do you personally believe. Is it based in TRUTH, and fact? Are you standing firm in that belief so that you can help those who can't stand on their own?

The above image is likely the more common version many Americans would know of Pastor Martin Niemöller's THEY CAME FIRST poem. It can be seen on the Holocaust memorial in Boston, MA along the Freedom Trail.

They came first for the Communists, 

and I did not speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, 

and I did not speak up because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, 

and I did not speak up because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics, 

and I did not speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me, 

and there was no one left to speak up.

My husband and I had a long lay over in Boston this past fall on our way (ironically) to Germany for a short family vacation. We walked portions of the Freedom Trail, and were surprised to see a memorial related to the Holocaust. We associated the Freedom Trail only to the fight on Slavery in the US. I was grateful that someone had the forethought to include memorials to other historical events related to Freedom. It can be so easy to forget these lessons learned, especially if they took place before our time and/or in another country where we personally don't see the daily difference.

I urge you to dig deeper into your faith, and stand firm in your beliefs. God has given us a life so we can live with a purpose, make your purpose count for someone else. 

A great example of someone standing firm in her belief was Corrie Ten Boom. She recorded her memories of her efforts to protect Jews in the Netherlands during the Holocaust in her book The Hiding Place. Parents, if you haven't read this, do so before sharing with children. There are portions that are best saved until children are a bit older, but the overall message is something to share with even the littlest ones in your home. Another book about standing up (also during the Holocaust) is Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, which is geared towards the younger reader (9-11 years old).



And to the teachers, advisers, mentors, managers/ bosses, colleagues, friends, family, pastors, youth leaders, and church body that have taken their stand for me during times of my failings, weakness, and illness, I say Thank You. I hope I will one day be able to make as much of a difference and breath Christ's love into someone else's life by taking a stand and helping to protect as you have in mine. Many of you don't know the impact you've had on my life, and I'm sure there are others who stood up for me that I'm not even aware of. THANK YOU to all of you.

(Original Text & Translation from WikiQuotes)
Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Kommunist. 

Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten,
habe ich geschwiegen;
ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat. 

Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten,
habe ich nicht protestiert;
ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.

Als sie die Juden holten,
habe ich geschwiegen; 
ich war ja kein Jude. 

Als sie mich holten,
gab es keinen mehr,
der protestieren konnte.

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;

I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,

I remained silent;

I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,

I did not speak out;

I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,

I remained silent;

I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me,

there was no one left to speak out.

Who, What, Where, How, When, & Why

Six little words that I have known for most of my life, but how often do I really think about them? I have been asking myself questions relating to each of these short little words with more frequency lately. A couple specific questions that really keep coming up, time and time again are:

• Who am I?

• What defines me?
• What is my purpose in life?
• What legacy will I leave behind?

• Where (spiritually) will I (and my family) be in 5 years? 10 years? 50 years?
• Where (location wise) will I (and my family) be in 5 years? 10 years? 50 years?
• Where am I leading others?

• When am I going to start this journey?

• Why should I do this?

• How will I fulfill God's purpose?

As a brief background, my husband and I are starting on a year of adventure you could say. He's finishing up his degree, and come this spring a lot of change could happen. We could be moving to another state for his job, or we could be blessed with an opportunity here in the tri-state area. We simply don't know what to expect beyond 8 months from now. Along with the adventures of his education & the beginning of his career, I am finally starting on my career. I have been working the last several years in a position where my education wasn't being applied. I have been blessed with the opportunity to change companies and to start down a new and exciting path. As much as I know this change is for the better, I am still apprehensive. I will be out of my comfort zone by working with new people, performing different work tasks (related to my degree that is several years old) and dealing with the general transition of starting at the bottom of the totem pole all over again.

With that said, this transition has had me thinking about the answers/ solutions a lot. I don't know the answers (and certainly not the final answers) to each of the above questions, but I do know a little bit of the solution for a few of them based on what the LORD has shown and taught me.

My purpose: is to live for Christ, and to be ready to do everything in my power to follow his future plans for my (our) life.

My legacy: is one that I want to be admirable for generations to come. Whether that is only remembered through my immediate family (blood or church) or through a wider spectrum, that's up to GOD. I know that the legacy that I have been leaving is not entirely inline with GOD's plan for me. I am praying and hoping that as I continue to grow in Christ, that my legacy will continue to improve and constantly be a reflection of GOD's love and plan for all of our lives.

My Journey: starts today by continuing to seek Christ and to live for Him. I know I will stumble in this area because I have done so each and every time I started a new adventure in the past. However, this time, same as before, I have more experience, wisdom and most of all the support from family (church & blood), friends, colleagues that GOD has blessed me on a daily basis.

My Plan: of attack starts with examining my life (purpose of this blog) and to change those areas that are not lining up with GOD's. A few of the areas and specific ways that I'm working on are:

• Living debt free
• Reaching out and check in on those who look up to me (kids at church, younger friends, younger family members, kids in the community, etc.)
• Studying more of GOD's word
• Reflecting on my behaviors and conversations with people (was it harmful? helpful? intentional conversation?)

My Reasoning: begins and ends with a simple verse where God tells us what to do and by doing so, what will happen. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, lean not on your own understandings. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6.

That verse has driven my Christian walk for as long as I can remember having one. It is a constant reminder of God's love and passion for us to live Godly lives.

My Challenge to you, my reader: begins with you asking the same questions of yourself. What is your purpose in life? Are you fulfilling that? What are you doing now that you shouldn't? What are you not doing that you should be?
I know this can be daunting to think about, but you have at least two people to help you out, GOD and myself. I will do what I can to help you stay accountable, but remembering that where I fall short, GOD will pick up. You can always rely on Him, and that is what I heavily lean on when I need an extra hand.