In early 2008, she had it all. An amazing job working alongside two of the most respected and innovative pastors in the American church. She had a good salary, a cushy downtown apartment with red walls and hardwood floors. She had just purchased her adulthood dream car.
And sure, she was generous — at least in her own American way. She tithed to her church, gave above and beyond for new projects, and sponsored a Compassion child in Ethiopia. (The one who bought a sheep with the EXTRA money she and The Hubs sent).
Then in February, she touched poverty on a trip to Africa. She smelled it. For a week, no matter where she turned, it was there.
They had eyes of hope, but skin and bones for flesh.
They had dreams, but no clean water.
They were covered in potential, but they had no clean clothes.
And on this trip, something inside her broke. Sixteen months later, it’s never been fixed.
You may never touch the rough hand of a young, hungry child.
Or see a two week old dying in a crib in an orphanage in Kolkata.But it is my prayer for you that something will break.
You may never smell what raw sewer and smoke and smog smell like on a hellishly hot and humid day.
But it is my prayer for you that something will break.
I have been sponsoring a child through Compassion International for 5 years now. It has been more than a beautiful experience. We receive letters and pictures from Jairo on a regular basis. His letters are full of hope, love, and appreciation. Even at his young age he is always so greatful to us. At his tender age of 9, he understands poverty and desparation like many in the US will never know. Rightfully so, he also speaks of Jesus with an intimacy that most christians never know.
You may think the problem is too big and that there is nothing you can do, but sponcering a child gives them more than food and clothes. It gives them an education, and a center to use as a place of refuge. They learn about Jesus and the Bible. I encourage everyone to look into sponsoring just one clild.
Contessa Kendrick
Thank you Sara for this message. The Holy Spirit has been pressing on me how I love my stuff more than the needy. I have so many clothes I can barely move my hangers back and forth in my closet (I justify this by saying that my closet was built way back in the 50’s before walk-in’s). I even have new clothes with price tags on them. I have so much already, but I still want more. (I don’t have THAT.)
Ecclesiastes 5:10 “He who loves money will NOT be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income.” Prov 27:20 “Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.”
Contrast – Psalm 63:1, 5 “O God, Thou art my God; I shall seek THEE earnestly; my soul thirsts for THEE, my flesh yearns for THEE, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. v 5 My soul is satisfied as swith marrow and fatness and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.”
Forgive me Lord when I spend so much on ME and forget the poor, the “least of these”. Forgive me Lord, when I congratulate myself for my generosity, compared to others! Forgive my pride and selfishness. Forgive my vanity, caring more about being fashionable than about being compassionate. Forgive my covetousness and my envy of my neighbor’s big house and the pool in the backyard. Do I sacrifice? Do I treat others in need as well as I treat myself?
Oh Lord, satisfy me with YOU. Touch my heart and show me that when I serve the least of these, I serve Jesus. When I give to the least of these, I give to Jesus. Open my eyes and change my heart. Take away the love of the things in the world and the lust of the eyes – all that is not of the Father. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 Jn 2:15-16. Take away my love of the world – put in me Your heart and Your love, oh Lord.
This is something I think everyone SHOULD deal with, and evaluate their lives – are we doing something for the least among us? I sure can do better.
Thanks for posting!
Sage and I took Jon to see “The Soloist” today for his birthday. Very heavy, sobering look at mental illness and homelessness. True story of a man who learned how to be a true friend to the least among us. Not exactly a happy birthday movie, but a message that is appropriate and challenging for any day. So…thank you for the precious reminder to rescue the weak and needy.