When I saw this I thought of Matthew 15:21-28 where it talks about a Gentile women pleading with Jesus to heal her child who is possessed by demons. The disciples wanted her to send her away because of her begging. Jesus then said to the women, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep-the people of Israel.” She then pleaded and wanted the Lord to help her. The part that really hit me in the story is the next part where Jesus says, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” He then rewarded her for her great faith and healed her child. I have been thinking about how much food in America we throw away and how far kids walk here in Swaziland for some mush that is cooked over a pot that they eat with their hands when it’s steaming hot because they are so hungry. So right now for me it isn’t right to throw food to the dogs here when there are children and other people who will eat whatever they can get their hands on. Every single day I am reminded over and over again how much we are blessed with in the United States. Honestly, looking at my life I have no worries at all. I have a family who loves me, have never gone hungry, have a place to sleep, and clothes to wear. I am beyond blessed and wish people could so badly see these children and their families and want to do something. I want people to feel uncomfortable because I feel that way every day. I want people to be so moved that they find ways to help others. These kids have a name, a story, and frankly they don’t have a childhood. The other day I was at a care point where children walk miles to get food and one of my teammates looked at one of the 4th graders spelling list. The words in the school books were rape, abuse, fear, and some others that I cannot remember. Instead of these kids learning about rainbows and dreams they are learning about their reality. This makes me sick.
Thank you so much for reminding all of us how blesses we are and making me think seriously about how I live my life. There is no reason these children should feel hunger with all the resources at our hands. Bless you for following your heart and sharing it with me.
I sometimes complain about how full I am…Oh my. Lord, give us your eyes, your ears, and allow us to be your hands and feet…and tongue. See if there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in your will. Convict us to care about what you care about. Glorify yourself in us, and especially in team Cherished Flame.
Amen
Sometimes I say that I want to eat home because I’m sick of eating out….or I can’t decide what to have for lunch as we look at all the menu options we have in a little file at work (and next store is a Dunkin Donuts!!). Then I see the kids pictured here having the SAME thing every day and NOT enough of it. I know of an African who visited the U.S. and when he walked in a supermarket an saw all the food there, he almost fainted…..and that was the pet aisle!!! Our pets eat better than 1/2 the world!! We need to be WAY more thankful and recognize they “To whom much has been given, much is expected!” We will pray for you and Swaziland!
Susan
I litterally feel sick just reading this. Lord, forgive us.