Dot Not Despair, By Roger Behra

SHORT COMMUNICATION 168

Dot Not Despair

By

Roger Behra

Jenny, a six-grade girl came home from school one day recently, and her mother noticed that her daughter seemed depressed and full of despair. After talking to her daughter, Mom got to the bottom of Jenny’s situation.

That day in social studies class the topic was world events. Jenny’s teacher got her students to have a much clearer idea of what was going on in America and the third world countries. Jenny became more and more depressed as the class progressed. Learning about young people her age in very depressed as the class progressed. Learning about young people her age in very poor countries who had few or no opportunities and very little food was very depressing for her. Jenny was saddened to learn that many leaders do not really care about their own people, and that other countries were not very caring also. The thought of so many young people her age were dying from lack of food and medical care was heavy on her mind.

Jenny´s mother help somewhat to relieve her daughter’s mental state. She reminded Jenny that God is always there to help her and everyone at all times and that He is in control of everything that happens for good reasons not understand able always by us. Her mother also gave her the words of a song by David Hass and asked her to read them when she was depressed and had feelings of despair. The song words are as follows:

JESUS CARES

I will come to you in the silence,
I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear my voice, I claim you as my choice,
Be still and know I am here.

I am hope for all who are hopeless,
I am eyes for all who long to see.
In the shadows of the night I will be your light,
Come and rest in me.

I am strength for all the despairing,
Healing for the ones who dwell in shame.
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free,
And all will know my name.

I am the word that leads all to freedom,
I am the peace the world cannot give.
I will call your name, embracing all your pain,
Stand up now, walk, and live.

Don´t be afraid, I am with you.
I have called you each by name.
Come follow me, I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine.

R. B.