No shoes? No legs!

Oh no, my car just broke down. OMG, my cell phone just died! (insert adjective)--My clothes and shoes are so out of style. The list goes on and on and on. We (americans) are all guilty of us at one time or another. We fall into the trap of how bad our situation is. How bad is it really? At times, we think that a certain split second of our time is the end of the world. We think sometimes that our circumstance is unbearable, excrusiating, devistating. We worry about what our next car will be, what our next TV will be (plasma or LCD?). All muscians feel this one; what will be my next instrument? But do we ever stop to think about our brother or sister? What is going on in his or her life? Sometimes, most times, all the time, there is someone who has something way bigger going on that is miles beyond what we are going through. Financial problems, health, family.

I am compelled, astonished, fascinated, and saddened by the way people are treated in other countries, poor countries. Where kids roam the street in search of food for dinner. Or clean water to drink. While our kids just throw something in the microwave, other kids are scavenging. If they aren't they are toting AK 47s around training to be the next brainwashed troops for the government or lack there of. They have nothing to rely on. But, I love the way that some people from other countries smile. You can see on their faces a glimmer of hope, faith and love. I know not all are in great spirits, but the ones who are make me smile. It makes me even happier and more appriciative of what I have. What we have. This country is amazing, but I am affraid that the glits and glammer of what we have is all that most people hope for. Meanwhile, we overlook the greatness that is in our hearts, right under our nose and within our grasp. I hope that I live a life that reflects what I feel rather than doing the typical. I don't have the funds right now to help with global missions, but one day I want to become involved. Till then, I want to locally make an impact whenever I can. I believe in God. He has a plan for all of us. I live by faith, but my heart is for the downtrodin, the weak, the lame, the widow, the orphan, the poor. I have met some very poor people, and their attitude is very similar to that of the wealthy. They think that the good things in life revolve around money, and they want that more than anything. What is the difference because if the wealthy were without their money, some of them, would they not have the same view?

When our love and heart revolves around what we can do for others to help them, to serve them, that is when we can truly see change. Be the change. Until then, consumerism will destroy us. We are all slaves to that which we desire. That is why I think Jesus was trying to get us to live relationally and in unity. The driving force behind money is to buy something. Advertisers try to get us to think our life sucks until we buy their product. We all know what happens after that, it has lost its meaning. I love our country. I am fortunate to live here, that is why I want to use my freedom to help impact someone else's life. To be the Church, the hands and feet. So think about others and their circumstances before we think about what will make us happy all the time. Eventually we may all follow the Golden Rule!

Peace.