I saw this post the other day on We Heart It and it got me thinking once again about how much we have and how lucky we are to have been born into a land with so much prosperity. Even in this land, however, there are plenty of people who have great need. It's not news to anyone reading this that there is a new face to homelessness in this country: more families displaced by loss of work, more cold and hungry children, more skilled workers that just can't catch a break.
The world is full of pain and suffering. Orphan girls who "age out" of the system find themselves in the horror of sexual slavery. African villagers wonder where their next meal or cup of water will come from. Mothers wonder if their children will survive the genocide of their land to grow up to be adults. People are tortured for knowing too much, for making stupid decisions, for owing money that they will never see. Every day, all over the world, devout people die for believing in their God and not faltering.
There is a tendency for people to look away from these problems because they are too great and after all, what can one person do? In our family, we sponsor a Zambian girl through World Vision. We struggle to pay our bills, but the one thing that we never even think of removing from our expenses is our sponsorship. Even though we struggle, the little bit that we send each month has made a remarkable difference not only in Jovanna's life, but also those of her villagers. We may not be solving the problems of the world, but if each of us decided to help just one other person, think of how far our assistance would reach.
9 comments:
You are remarkable for making a difference. And for being aware.
I've been reading your blog for quite some time now, and I just wanted to say thank you for this post. I disagree with the part that generalises suffering (surely it encompasses more than war, torture or starvation!) but I agree wholeheartedly with the message about giving thanks for what we have but don't necessarily appreciate.
This was a timely reminder.
Thank you.
*hugs*
It is good to be reminded about how lucky we are.
Thank you for this reminder! My six year old son begins to think more and more about all the injustices in the world and so I would also like to do something like you do and show him that we can make a little difference!
This is an amazing message. I definitely need a little kick in the head every once in awhile to remind me of how fortunate my family and I are.
yes, all so true, and what a wonderful thing you are doing. we have so much when we really stop to think about it.
Beautiful post, I think we all need reminders such as this from time to time
This is a lovely post and well worth pondering.
That is one hell of a strong message. I really am fortunate.
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