My eyes scanned the newspaper headlines in a hurry yesterday. As usual, most of it was bad news. Economic decline, crime sprees, overseas discord, and on and on.
As I flipped through the first few pages, my eyes fell on a smallish, black and white photo tucked neatly away on page 8a. The photograph left me transfixed. In it, the child’s head seemed twice the size of what it should be, his face and large, expressive eyes marked with deep pain.
My heart ached. How could suffering like this exist and be relegated to the least prominent place within the newspaper?
Tears stung my eyes as I hovered over the words to the accompanying story. Should I read it, or do the comfortable thing?
I studied the photo again.
Skin stretched taut against protruding ribs and swollen stomach further illuminated the plight of this little one’s misery, and I chose to do the uncomfortable thing. Instead of flipping over to the Life and Times section of the newspaper, I read about the famine in Somalia.
It wasn’t a lengthy story, or one that I’d never heard before. It was, however, a brief, fairly accurate snapshot of subjects that we don’t often like to talk about–starvation and hunger.
As my mind absorbed the words hunger, famine, death, dying, and starvation, I thought about what really matters in life. I thought about the many times we complain about the small things–the things that we know are inconsequential but the things we like to grumble about nevertheless.
I wondered what a difference we could make in the lives of hurting individuals if we shifted our focus from us for even just a few moments. Of course, shifting gears from the “me” mentality to the “you” mindset is such an unaccustomed feeling, we’d probably have to think it to death and come up with a 10 point plan first. Isn’t that the logical way?
And of course, if we “pay it forward” don’t we like to bask in the glow (at least for a little while) of recognition for efforts made?
Jesus had a more sensible approach on handling suffering and affliction and how we’re to deal those who are in need… “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven….But when you do give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matt. 6:1-4 NIV)
I realize there is probably nothing I can do about starvation in Somalia. I can, however, resolve to pray for a God-sized miracle. And when I see others in my midst who are in need, I can extend a hand and share the blessings I’ve been given. I don’t have to tell others what I’m doing. The One who matters most will know.
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Has the Lord laid a particular burden on your heart today?
Comments 6
Yes, that people would take their marriage vows seriously, and that all children would be loved unconditionally by someone in their lives.
Author
Oh, Patti, yes!
Cynthia, what a beautiful post. We here in America so often take for
granted what we have. Even the poor among us here are much
better off than the poor in third world countries.
I stopped at a fast food place on the way home tonight after work
and thought I’d walk inside bypassing the drive through (which is
unforgiving to “boat-like” cars like my in-laws I was borrowing).
Big mistake. The two guys behind the counter were working
furiously to keep up with the drive through, and I must have stood
at the counter for 5 to 10 minutes before anyone came to take my
order. I was so hungry (hadn’t eaten since noon), but I waited
patiently since it was obvious they were doing the best they could.
Then a young girl and guy, probably freshman in high school walked
up, and it wasn’t long before one yelled, “How long do we have to
wait to get some service!”
I was completely annoyed. Their biggest problem was waiting for
someone to take their order while they complained about people
at school. I wanted to shout, “Life is so much more than this!” and
“At least you’ll have a hot meal to eat tonight!” But I know I need to
have compassion for even those who are naive and ignorant to the
real challenges that a large population of the world struggle against
day after day. Why so entitled? Why so self-important?
This hits a nerve with me. I’ve been to Africa and watched a woman
give birth on a plywood table covered by a tarp with no pain medica-
tion delivered by a midwife with only washed and reused latex gloves
PPE (personal protective equipment). We have it so good, and the
majority of us have no idea. Overhearing teenage drama and
witnessing it’s impatience annoys me, but it should also quicken me
to prayer, that they’ll realize what’s really important in this life and
Who it is that we are made for and live for.
Author
“It’s all about me” moments are never easy to watch are they, Tanya? Most of us never have to step out of our comfort zones, so the empathy factor gets lost in our day-to-day schedules. What’s so sad are the people who see nothing wrong with that mentality.
Great points!
Great post, Cynthia. I have so many big dreams of how I can meet the needs of the hurting, but for this week, God is calling me to minister to the little ones in my own home. I can’t wait for the day when God sees my heart for something bigger and says, “Go!”
Author
Having “in tune” hearts when God whispers “Go!” is what makes His timing so perfect, Sarah. And it speaks volumes that you realize God is preparing you for something bigger one day.