Another thought...

I almost forgot...

I won't drone on forever about this... but I kinda just want to put it out there. Lately, I've felt rather convicted of a few things. The other day, I watched this thing on TLC. It was kind of a documentary about the Tsunami and interviews with the survivors and stuff. It just kind of struck me as I was falling asleep that night how detached I am from the rest of the world, how little I appreciate things that have been given to me. Like, my heart really feels for all those affected by the December tsunami, and I think it's really great to see so many people come together to raise money and help in any way they can (Ellen Degeneres has already raised over 2.5 million dollars just on her own!). I can watch three hours of intense video and interviews of people who endured something sooo massive and sooo life-altering. I can sit and cry along with those on television, trying to empathize with something that I can only attempt to imagine. I can pray for them and donate money and all this other 'Good Samaritan' type stuff, but while Im watching all of this on TV, others are actually living it. I have the luxury of changing the channel. I have the luxury of turning off the television and walking up the stairs of my house to a warm bed surrounded by pictures of people I care about. I can turn off the TV and think about what's for dinner that night or call my best friend and talk for two hours about absolutely nothing (or everything... whichever the case may be). What I mean is... we are given sooo much...even if it feels like we don't have anything at all... yet we are soooo quick to want more. I'm the queen of materialism! I love new shoes and DVD's and can easily drop a 10-spot at Target on nothing worthwhile. I know it sounds cliche, but how selfish is that?! It's pretty ridiculous when you think about it.

God asks us to pray for those who suffer as if we were suffering with them. I'm the first to tell you that isn't something I do all that often. It's too sad or too hard. It's too personal or not personal enough. Mostly, I just don't do it. I guess, I just want to challenge those of you who read this to step back for a while and appreciate what you've been given... even if seems like you haven't been given much. Then... take some time to suffer. I know that sounds harsh, even kinda stupid... and I don't mean suffer like jump out the window or step on your new puppy suffer. Just take a second and try to put yourself in the shoes of someone less fortunate. Just try.

Blessings,
Tempa