We all need something to keep our priorities in order. Something to keep us grounded, for lack of a better word, something to prevent us from wallowing in our #firstworldproblems.
Sometimes, all it takes is to stop focusing on ourselves. I’m preaching to myself here. My daily complaints do NOT constitute suffering.
Not when Naghmeh Abedini has to tell us this about her husband, Saeed [Saeed Abedini is an American citizen from Utah, imprisoned in Iran for his faith.]
Not when these sixty-seven people have nothing left.
Not when I have a family to call my own, and this girl (shown below) has none.
Almost every day, a story about a child lands in my inbox, and every time, I read it. Not because I love sad things. Not because I want to have pity. But because the broken parts of this world will never change if we’re too busy holed up in our comfortable little havens. Because the broken pieces will never be picked up if we’re too busy creating ourselves a safe little bubble.
I want to look up. I want to look outward. I want to make a difference.
Because every child matters.
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RESOURCES a.k.a. a partial list of the blogs and newsletters I read.
* Gladney Center for Adoption’s Waiting Child (Blog)
Subscribe by Email: Click here and you will see the subscription field in the upper right hand corner of your screen
* Taiwan Xi En (Website)
Subscribe by Email: Click here; only the red ’email’ field is required
*Bringing Hope to Children (Facebook)
Subscribe by Email: Click here
* Show Hope (Website)
Subscribe by Email: Click here
* And of course, the Ziway + Adami Tulu Project in partnership with Lifesong for Orphans — the organization through we which we sponsor children.
The Oaxacaborn Blog 
So true! Thanks for this great reminder!
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Thanks for the comment, Megan — I need the reminder myself!
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I like your tender heart.
I was just considering all the art projects I could undertake and laundry list of things I want to do with my time – and realized that list items with the most potential to have lasting value involved simple hospitality or art for a special causes like clean water.
The hospitality part surprised me a little because I thought of the bible verse about practicing hospitality and thought “yes, of course I know that one.” And then “duh!” That’s why that verse is so important – to open up my safe haven and reach out to people through my ordinary life and home. Some of the places I’ve felt most loved and understood have been at hospitable homes and dinner parties with dear souls.
I have fears and insecurities about having people over (what to cook, messy house in mid-remodel, what will we talk about besides kids, etc) but I am feeling compelled to reach out instead of hold back.
I’m hosting 3 meals at my house this week. A record since having kids! I feel a bit crazy for attempting it, but here we go.
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I think you put it perfectly when you said, “to open up my safe haven and reach out.” Because sometimes, in doing so, we become that safe haven for someone else.
P.S. How did the hosting go?!
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You have such a beautiful heart! Thank you for sharing!
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