Living in a foreign country or place changes you—or at least it should.
I know it changed me before and is changing me now. My farming community suburbia of Lancaster, PA has rudely shifted to the gray shades of cement, homes behinds walls/barbed with the bustle & noise of an almost sleepless city.
~(a few times) I came home from a clinic shift at 6:30 am to encounter a man sleeping on our apartment steps. It had rained quite hard during the night, and I'm sure the covered open garage-like structure of the apartment complex kept the rain off him. Did I wake him up, invite him in for a meal or wake him up and tell him to leave? Well, neither...I actually didn't quite know what to do, I turned the key quietly, glanced nervously at him, gently stepped over him and closed the door.~
~I came here to serve, I can't really always explain why I have this passion (which seems stronger than some) but I can't stand injustice. Not just the typical playground scenario, where one kid pushes another, but the complicated web of sorrow, pain and horror faced by people (especially in developing countries). Domestic violence, abuse (all kinds), slavery...the list is long and my heart breaks even more when it involves women.
Why...well maybe because I am one. :) But, more so because women are marginalized and grossly underserved and not cared for in a majority of our world. Denied so many basic rights we take for granted. While our schools are figuring out if they should trim music ed or gym class from the list- many girls are putting in a full ADULT day's work. No opportunity to learn or receive an education is ever offered.~
*I've seen the TV commercials in the States that say $1 can stretch this far..etc. And I thought wow, interesting. But it never really hit me like it does now. I see what people live in here and what foods mainly make up their diet. Most of us can't wrap our mind around it. (and frankly before I wouldn't have completely blamed you for not understanding).*
So, what does this mean?
I'm not trying to place everyone on a major guilt trip because you live in America (I know, it's not your fault...you didn't choose where to be born). On the other hand, neither did those that live at or below the poverty line. But by the grace of God am I here and given all these material blessings.
I think we have an obligation to be wise stewards of our money, care for our families etc. But, I think we also need to broaden our horizons and seek out ways to touch other lives.
- That may mean giving monetary funds or resources, time or talent to a certain ministry.
- Or maybe (insert uncomfortable clearing of throat) GO to a place and actually engage all 5 senses and not just your wallet.
Yes it's scary. That's where my need for control and independence gets lost in the grip of God's unending faithfulness and love. And if you truly open your eyes, heart and body to whatever task God has impassioned you for...You will NEVER be the same. If you lack ideas of what to do, where to start...talk to people you know...google a ministry or area of interest. Read someone's blog (yup...that's one place I find continued inspiration, a kick-in-the pants, refocus on the worth of what I'm doing..etc)
Here's 2 I really like:
This is where I'm at.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
Paul Baloche - He Knows My Name (I Have A Maker)
I have a maker
he formed my heart,
before even time began
My life was in his hands
He knows my name He knows my every thought,
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call
I have a father, he calls me his own
He'll never leave me,
no matter where I go
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
and hears me when I call
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call
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