There must be more

August 31, 2006

Just so you know…I’m posting this not because I want to but because I feel guilty for not posting since August 22.

That is so. stupid.

Anyway, I also feel like crying right at this moment and I have no idea why. I think it’s because there should be much more to life than whatever it is I do in life. Seems like so much is wasted—time, money, resources, etc. This picture wrenches my soul, as does a thousand pictures like it which tell of millions of people right at this very moment who are fighting for the very basic things in life. Meanwhile, I sit here on my nice, cushy bed, typing on my nice, fancy computer, in my nice, comfy home, while my children sleep soundly in their nice, warm beds, after eating more than enough food (and probably throwing half of it away), and whose only worries for tomorrow are whether or not they’ll watch a little TV in the morning and who they’ll play with in the afternoon. We just received our property tax bill in the mail for an astronomical amount of money that goes toward who-really-knows-what exactly, our closets are bulging with clothes because (heaven forbid) we wear the same thing twice in one week. My to-do list mainly consists of tasks that are mundane, robbing me of time and money better spent elsewhere; tasks that will have to be completed again in a day/week/month; tasks that are mostly aimed at simply maintaining stuff I really question whether we need anyway. Tasks like mowing the lawn, washing the car, painting the house, cleaning the playroom, etc. And on and on it goes.

When there are people desperate to find an ant on the ground so they can at least say they’ve eaten something today, it just doesn’t seem right that I live in such abundance, basically becoming nothing more than an expert navel gazer. There is definitely something so very wrong with that.

Category: Deep Thoughts

Comments

8 Responses to “There must be more”

  1. Oosh
    September 1st, 2006 @ 12:13 am

    I think you wrote this for me. I was just talking with a friend, lamenting over our financial situation…your post reminds me of the extraordinary blessings we have. The abundance that we’ve been given. It is so easy for me to compare my situation with that of those on the next step up the ladder. I wish I could learn to be content…no not content…daring and over the top with faith and action. Faith that God will provide what we need and action to do more with it than just be comfortable and safe. Thanks Aim.

  2. Andrea
    September 1st, 2006 @ 1:52 pm

    Yes, you say it well.

    And….what do you do?

    Pray, yes. Give money, yes. What else?

    Often I feel helpless when I have these thoughts.

    It is about contentment in there somewhere as the above poster said.

    But, like you said…….there must be more.

  3. Anonymous
    September 1st, 2006 @ 8:30 pm

    All you can do is sincerely thank God for what you have, and ask Him, everyday, how you can help someone else with what He’s given you (that doesn’t necessarily mean giving money..you could simply offer a ride to an old lady struggling with groceries).

    I have known people from other countries, and here, who have very little to speak of, but are so content and at peace…because they are wealthy in the Lord=inside. That is not said to diminish all the suffering in the world.

    When we are born, we come into families/situations in which we had no say or control over. That is just Gods providence.

    So..In all things, give thanks.

  4. Leah, The Mom
    September 1st, 2006 @ 9:01 pm

    When I was faced with similar feelings, I finally realized it was time to reach out and help. I started a card ministry. (Yes, it costs, but you can be very creative.) I send cards to the ill, those needing encouragement, those needing a word of praise, and just because. God always supplies me with the names. Because my mind is not as sharp, I keep a journal of who and which card I have sent. That way I don’t send the same card for the same reason three times. Ha.

  5. chesedj
    September 2nd, 2006 @ 4:14 pm

    What you’ve said is very true. However we are where we are supposed to be doing the tasks that God has given for us to do. We don’t see the big picture, we compare pieces of sky with pieces of sand and come to conclusions that leave us with sometimes false impressions. We can’t say that all those many hours we spend washing laundry, as glamourous as it is, is vain in comparison. Our gifts come from God and are for His glory. I grew up homeless going from relatives to a shelter to relatives. Finally the Lord saw fit to give us a home. So many of the steps and common things I look back on are what God used to train me for now. God used unconventional methods to bring me to Him and put me in His service. Do not dwell on the work that belongs to God. He loves the less fortunate as much as the wealthy. If they are saved, they will be taken care of. It is not careless of me to say that salvation is what they need most because God will provide the rest through us, others, and ways we can’t even fathom. If you have it is because it is what He wants for you right now. You may not always be in this situation, so make the most of it and enjoy God’s blessings, especially the care He gives to our little ones.

  6. Leah, The Mom
    September 3rd, 2006 @ 8:05 am

    I think the point of your post was that even though we are Christians we still experience those feelings you have. You have pointed out that we still need to be working on our faith, still need encouragement from others. And it is not always easy.

  7. mom at rest
    September 5th, 2006 @ 10:27 pm

    Sometimes I think (I’m still struggling myself) that God just gives us a glimpse of how much He’s needed in this world. And it hurts like crazy and it makes you feel completely helpless and it makes us long for Christ to return. And that’s pretty much all I can come up with from an image like that.

  8. Priscilla
    September 18th, 2006 @ 12:44 pm

    That’s a pretty powerful post. I am struggling with a lot of issues lately. This pretty much puts things into perspective. Thanks.

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