Friday, May 01, 2009

Something More

Sometimes it is hard to know how your words are perceived.

For example, how will you perceive the post just before this one? Does it seem a little self-righteous? That wasn't my intent, but it is hard to know how things will come across.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the hurt that takes place all over the world. The poverty, the starvation, the orphans... There is a lot of hurt.

I recently watched the movie Slumdog Millionaire. I cried for hours after that movie, thinking of children in India and other countries living in poverty without parents. Kids living in garbage dumps. Children taken advantage of by evil people. There is so much injustice in the world.

And I live in a comfortable house, completely removed from their reality. Their reality is a movie to me, or a photograph.

And I keep thinking that I want to do something. So I write checks, but it doesn't seem like enough. We are adopting, but it doesn't seem like enough.

I don't know if anything will ever seem like enough, but maybe if we all do something, it will start to seem like enough.

I don't really have any answers, just a lot of questions and a desire to do something more.

I'm just not sure what that is...

11 comments:

Holli said...

not self righteous at all! but a GREAT reminder for us all! thanks for both post!

Heidi Klopfenstein said...

Watched Slumdog Millionaire last night. Felt like I might vomit through tears during the movie. Bawled after it ended...so so sickening how much hurt, evil and sadness there is in this world.
The movie and your posts are great reminders to me that there is so much to do, and I could never do enough!!

Anonymous said...

Megan, I admire your heart that clearly comes across in your words. Someone told me once that once you think you're doing enough...you no longer are. Your desire to serve clearly shows you haven't hit that wall.

I believe that your passion to share, both financially and personally through adoption are convicting pieces of evidence
showing that your following Christ's commandment to "love one another".

Terri

J Gutwein said...

Luke & I just watched this movie... yah, words are hard to express.

Also, at MOPS yesterday we did dream-boards. It was a special meeting. Thanks for mentioning it on here. Love, J

Jessica said...

We just watched that too. I was also very effected by it...how could you not be. It made me sick to my stomach. I just kept thinking (and still do), what if they were my boys? Oh, I cant even go there...I go crazy just thinking about how incredibly blessed we are and yet how incredibly selfish we (I) are.

christine said...

MEGAN: I loved your sentence, "I don't know if anything will ever seem like enough, but maybe if we all do something, it will start to seem like enough." AMEN! Try not to become overwhelmed (or discouraged) with the small actions you are able to take. Continue listening to the Lord for direction & be confident that He finds pleasure in your passion/service.

Betsy Z said...

Wow, Megan, I majorly got the goosebumps when I read this b/c you said what I've been feeling recently right down to a T! We just got a World Vision update talking about the hunger in Africa. I can't stop thinking about it. I think of the starvation of these poor kids every time I eat... and throw food away... and see how gluttonous we have become. Makes me so ashamed. You are so right... writing checks seems so trivial, doesn't it? Thanks for speaking your heart (and echoing mine!).

Carrie said...

I know the feeling. Don't watch the Kite Runner-it's worse than Slumdog in that you realize that you ignorant of how others are treated and are even more heartbroken that there isn't much you can do about it... except pray.

Ryan and Becky Weiss said...

Sadly the conditions in Slumdog Millionaire really do exist. When we first moved to Asia my husband was very discouraged by all the poverty he saw during his travels. India unfortunately is not the only country where people live on top of trash heaps. We came to a point where we realized that the old e-mail that used to circulate with the man throwing starfish back into the sea was true. When someone told him that action was foolish because he couldn't possibly save them all he responded with, "Well, I just saved that one...and that one!"

If you can help just one person, even in a seemingly small way you have made all the difference in the world!

And don't underestimate the power of prayer:)

Taylor said...

I posted on your original post. I completely agree with you Megan. You can't help them all, but, there are people hurting right next door to you! They may not be children, they may have children....or they may be homeless and need a meal or encouragement.....or they may need an older mentor or a younger adult to mentor... My point is that there are people right next to you who need help - maybe not at the same level as the ones you spoke about - but who knows, the impact you could have by reaching out and helping could leave a far greater impact. You don't know, but GOD does! Your impact doesn't have to be on such a huge issue/crisis ~ it may just be your neighbor's, whose crisis is huge. I challenge you to just reach out to people next to you! Start a conversation with someone you wouldn't normally strike one up with....and watch and wait to see how God leads.

Sandy said...

I so hear you. We've been praying as a family about how God can use us to affect this world for His glory. So, I'm not saying this next part in order to advocate sitting around on our hands. However, I find incredible solace in the fact that God has called me to serve Him where He, in His sovereign plan, has placed me. There were countless lepers, blind and lame left in Israel, let alone the rest of the world, when Jesus proclaimed these words from John 17:4 "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do." (NAS) Our goal is to search out and then do what He has given us to do.

Now if I could only find a verse that says, "The Andrew & Sandy Rassi family shalt....." the whole searching out part would be a lot easier! :)