Wholeheartedly In The Face of Brokenness

Since being in Romania, I’ve been able to build relationships with three Ukrainian women here and God has used them to redefine strength. At first glance, these girls are quiet and graceful but after meeting with them multiple times, one thing in particular became very evident. These are three of the strongest women I know, and all of their strength comes from their passion.

One year ago today the lives of these three girls plus countless others were flipped upside down. Why? One year ago today the war in Ukraine started. Everything that they considered normal, things that they considered life, and places that they considered essential were gone. Some of the girls have family in the military that they’re not able to talk or hear from for various periods of time. And then they had to move to another country by themselves without their families.

Yet, through it they found God. They’ve clung to him. They’ve leaned on him. They’ve sought for peace over all understanding. And while their physical world is being torn down, their foundation is firm.

After one conversation with them, I feel loved, seen, and trusted. They’ve taught me that strength is less about not being bothered by terrible things, and all about allowing your heart to break, and still choosing God.

I pray that I learn to pursue God the way that they do. Wholeheartedly in the face of brokenness.