If you're a front line worker, you're much more than just an initial point of contact. You become a part of each story. You don't just see it; you experience it. You feel it. You hear it. You learn to understand it. You face impossible situations, day in and day out. You are asked to make decisions you never thought you'd make for someone who is only hoping on their lucky stars that you're someone they can trust.

You're immersed in every broken, shattered piece of every story that walks through your door.

You start to see how the smallest victories mean everything to them.

You start to experience the trauma that they can't seem to outrun.

You start to hear the lies that they tell themselves every day.

You start to learn that you can't fix everything. Some days, it feels like you can't even fix one thing.

I feel immersed in every broken, shattered piece of every story that walks through my door.

I am starting to see how desperately we need to experience God as the kind Father that He is.

I am starting to experience the toll of taking on burdens' that were never mine to bear.

I am starting to hear the roars of heaven when I walk out of work clinging to hope.

I am starting to learn that these people rely on my voice.

I am starting to learn that they need me more than I can be needed.

But He, oh He is immersed in every broken, shattered piece of every story that walks through my door. He is immersed in the mending and healing of every piece of every story that walks through my door.

He sees their heart. They're not mine to keep.

He experiences every tear. They're not mine to count.

He feels every fear. They're not mine to defeat.

He's teaching me how to take care of His children the ways He does.

When you're a front line worker, you're not truly just front line.

You are whatever that persons needs in that moment.

You could be their hero or remind them of their enemy. You could be a tool to use or something to take advantage of. No matter what, a front line worker looks every person in the eye and experiences more lives in a day than others could imagine in a lifetime.

But take heart. He is always a few steps ahead of us.

Now that I am a front line worker, I am starting to notice that His shield is the front line I walk in behind. And you can bet that I thank all the stars He made to shine in the dark for just that.