The String 

The String

On March 12th, 2003 the United States went to war in Iraq. I was a youth director at the time and the female leader, Sylvia, asked if she could lead the meeting that we had planned with our junior high students. As the meeting started we explained what was happening thousands of miles away from us. Sylvia handed out short pieces of string that she had cut and burned at the ends to prevent them from unraveling. Each of us took the piece of string and tied it around the wrist of someone near us until everyone had one. Sylvia then asked us to let the string be a reminder to pray for those who were fighting in Iraq and also for the people of Iraq. Moments later we joined hands in a big circle and bowed our heads as the voices of children asked God for peace and safety in a country that they did not know.

Almost two years have passed now... I am the only one that I know of that group who's string has not come off. The only reason it hasn't fallen off yet is because I tied it in like 20 knots the first day... and I tie it again if I see it coming loose.

My string was white and is now a silverish gray color. It has gone with me to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Lichtenstein, Italy, Mexico, Ohio, Las Vegas, Hollywood, Disneyland, worship services, bars, the hospital, the grocery store, the shower... It has become a part of me.

For the first few months I would notice the string and would remember to ask God for peace and freedom for the people of Iraq and a safe return of those who were sent to Iraq on behalf of the American people. But somewhere along the way I stopped noticing... and now there are times that I see the string, even tie it again, but forget to pray. Yet to this day, people ask me about what is on my wrist and when I answer them and I hear "Oh, that is very cool", I almost feel ashamed that I, at times, forget.

We as a nation do the same thing. We see what happens in someone else's backyard and we think to ourselves "How horrible!". We may be concerned and even want to help, but we so easily forget. Why is that? I know I can't beat myself up for it. I mean I do pray for peace and resolution still. I do pray that our men and women will be able to come home soon. That IS something. And as long as it lasts, I will not take off this string until they come home. But I hope that our nation will stop forgetting others when the crisis subsides. Let's be people that quickly act to help when we see a need and have a long memory.