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What moves a person’s heart?

As we started to sing the Norwegian Christmas song “Mitt hjerte alltid vanker i Jesu føderom” (translation: My heart it always wanders in Jesus’ birthplace”), they took the initiative to stand up and take each others hands. It’s was a powerful moment, and I think that at that point there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Singing of finding home and the blessed Christmas night, a place of such hope and peace and freedom, moved us all. It caught me off guard and I hadn’t expected such vulnerability from these women. Many of them live with a wall built around their hearts as protection from a life which they have experienced as far from safe and kind. Now they find themselves literally behind bars, and yet behind the tough exteriors, are hearts that are still capable of being moved. Moved by being literally overwhelmed by presents and love and the message of value and hope. Moved to maybe, just maybe, believe that they are worth more than what life has communicated to them so far.

As we handed out extravagantly wrapped gifts and Christmas treats, one of them responded: “it’s just too much!”. To which I replied: “But you are worth it”. She shook her head and said with a knowing: “no, I’m not.” I looked straight at her and said: “yes you really are!”, to which tears filled her eyes again and she looked away. I hope that our words and actions can take root and cause her to start to see herself as how we see her; a precious woman who is so valuable and precious.

Yet again I am so struck by how little it takes to make a huge difference, and how a few hours together, where the focus is life and value, can really impact someone in a manner that goes way beyond what we could ever imagine. Words and actions have power, and I hope that as I go about my days that I can intentionally bring value through what I say and do to those around me. And that maybe I can be a part of people daring to let their hearts be moved to hope again.

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