This is Fashion on Purpose. Stories of Hope
My heart aches with the stories I've encountered from my time away overseas for five weeks. I have been transitioning home and processing so many of the miracles we encountered while being away. On fashion and on the harp. I was able to engage and spend much time with the beautiful people of the Middle East. I listened with ears to hear stories of profound pain and unwavering hope. Friends, in case you did not know, I designed "Love’s Pure Light" to be a fashion ministry all about the heart, because as we fashion our hearts with compassion and understanding, our inner beauty shines forth as outer beauty. Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is incredibly precious in the eyes of humanity and beyond.
I packed a suitcase full of garments of hope to clothe others with compassion, unity, and blessings for the days ahead. My beloved friends; let us embrace a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. I share a few stories today of some beautiful people I met. Their stories shifted my heart into a deeper compassion and connection for unity in this world.
I sat with Chantal, a young woman whose family in Palestine yearns for peace, trapped in a conflict they never sought. Her anger was palpable, her fear for their lives a raw wound that deeply resonated with me. I offered her a prayer shawl, a small token of comfort and a blessing in Arabic, a bridge to her heritage and a symbol of shared humanity. Another shawl, simply emblazoned with "LOVE - AHAVAH," was for her mother, a tangible message of enduring affection. Tears welled in her eyes as we prayed, together, for a future where her family might live, not just survive, a future free from the constant shadow of conflict. This echoes the powerful truth that love is the biggest question and assignment we have in life. Did you learn to love?
Then, there was the tour guide Adila from Tel Aviv, her spirit weary from the devastating lack of tourism and the crushing weight of war. Her 17-year-old daughter, a soldier in Gaza, had already buried four friends last week from fighting in war, a profound and unbearable loss for any parent. My friend and I shared our purpose: to bless the Land and its people, emphasizing that our simple call to be in this land was to love the people, that we came for them. When we shared this message, her defenses crumbled, and a river of raw emotion flowed. She and her entire tour of 10 were there, witnessing this exchange. I gave her the scarf I was wearing, inscribed with "shalom," a wish for peace, and extended an invitation to our harp concert which happened to be tomorrow night just up at our hotel. A miracle unfolded: she brought her daughter home from Gaza that very day, to hear the sounds of heaven on earth, to experience a moment of peace and solace amidst the chaos. She filmed our message of hope, eager to share it with her loved ones, a testament to the ripple effect of genuine connection. This experience truly brought to life the profound hope that even in the darkest times, there are plans for welfare and a future filled with hope.
These encounters, born from the depths of conflict, are testaments to the human spirit's resilience and its profound capacity for connection. We all carry a story, a journey of countless pages and chapters, some we wish to blot out, others we cherish. But at our core, we are all a testament to the divine, wrapped in flesh, with a unique and beautiful purpose for each life. I've learned that judgment only builds walls, creating separation; love, freely given, shatters them, fostering understanding and unity. There are no limits to compassion, no boundaries to connection when our hearts are open.
I challenge you today to step out, to go the extra mile where the path is less crowded. Ask someone their story, truly listen to their experiences, and seek to understand their perspective. Learn their beliefs, discover the unique light that shines within them, and appreciate the richness of their individual journey. Pull out a new measure of faith in humanity, cover them with genuine compassion, and pour in hope through your words and actions. Watch as the fountain of life showers your life with an abundance that transcends all differences, uniting us in our shared humanity and reminding us of the profound joy and peace that comes from believing in the power of connection and empathy.
We all have a story. We are all in process, and each day can be a next page or entire chapter. Sometimes we want to even blot out a chapter, and that’s ok. It's part of the process. It's all about the journey. It is about realizing that you are a unique and precious individual with a grand plan for your life. One thing I have learned is not to judge but to love freely with no limits, for in doing so, we learn so much about ourselves when we take a risk to love all peoples. No judgment. No boundaries. Go the extra mile; it is less crowded. I want to encourage you today to ask someone their story. Learn about their beliefs, find out why they shine a special way. I challenge you to go deep with people. Pull out a new measure of faith, cover them with compassion, and pour in hope. Watch the fountain of life shower your life with more than you can imagine.
Cydney
Leave a comment