This is (sadly) a constant reminder I have to give myself. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the material things this world has to offer but does any of it really matter? No. Last Sunday morning, I was hit hard by a link my friend Sheree shared on Facebook and it brought me to tears. So much so that I didn't know if I would be able to get myself to church. I am not a pretty crier. No Miss America cry for me. We're talking puffy nose, red face, the works. Nevertheless, I was able to pull it together and I headed off to the service. I could not get what Ann Voskamp (Author of 'One Thousand Gifts') said out of my head.
"Once we have seen the poor, we are responsible — we will make a response. As long as your heart is beating, there’s no such thing as unresponsive. We all look into the face of the poor and it’s either Yes, I will help. Or no, I won’t. There’s no getting off the hook."
I was hurting so deep because I am responsible and to be honest, I was feeling very guilty. I have been to one of the poorest countries on the planet. Twice. It moved and changed me tremendously. Inside. But what have I really done to help those people? I pray for them a few times a week, I think of them most days, and I sold some Haitian jewelry to support the talented artisans who make it. Big deal.I'm all the time dogging Kim Kardashian for accepting that gaudy "engagement ring" and "if she would have just fed the hungry with that or given to those whose homes are in foreclosure" etc. etc. etc. She may have a lot more money than I do, but that doesn't mean I can't help in my own ways. Haiti obviously holds a special place in my heart so I will always want to reach out to them but there are people around me every day that are fighting their own battles. This isn't a Christian thing or an American thing. It's a HUMAN RACE thing. Don't we have an obligation to help those that we can? How can we continually turn away from those in need just because it's uncomfortable or its inconvenient?
It's pretty obvious that I am working toward a large goal. I want to be my own boss and work full time doing what I love. I get so caught up in how I'm going to make it all happen and trying to be productive and making sure I'm doing everything to make MY life better when I really need to be less concerned with myself.
I had been wanting to paint a chalkboard wall for awhile so last week, I just did it. This was one of the first things I wrote on it and it's still there. And just about every day, I have to remind myself just how true it really is. It's nice to have a little perspective thrown at you every now and then! I feel like I have been given a talent to create beautiful things and I want to be sure that I am not only using that talent for my own benefit. I want to some how, some way give back.
Alright, that's enough for now! I hope you all have a FABULOUS week! :)
