"For of such is the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:16)
As I bask in this glorious sunshine today and stretch out in the welcome warmth, I watch the neighborhood kids chase each other. I watch them laugh. I hear them chatter. One just fell off his bike and bravely fought the tears as he got up again. Two more are helping their mother in the yard.
I love children. I love the simple fascination they possess. I love how they rarely mask their emotions or feelings: if something makes them happy, they laugh. If something disappoints them, they cry. If something tastes gross, they spit it out. If they love something, they say it. They trust that the people around them are basically good, that the adults in their lives would never intentionally harm them. Children innately count on those adults to care for them, to create a better world for them to enjoy.
In return, children give light to life. Don't you agree? Who can't help but smile when a baby giggles, or a four-year-old girl rocks her doll to sleep, or a ten-year-old in an over-sized hat struts around and sticks his fingers in the belt loops 'just like Dad'... Those moments are sunshine to the plant of human life.
I wish that everyone had that perspective: that human life, not human power/control, is sacred.
Because there is a harsh and unattractive reality: not all children are safe.
Not all children are fed. Not all children learn to read. Not all children are lovingly tucked in at night or have someone waiting for them to come home. Not all children have a home. Not all children feel loved.
Not all children have any reason to believe that adults are trustworthy.
And it tears my heart apart.
Right now, in my life, all of my energy and brainpower and focus is absorbed in a single purpose, which is best summarized by this quote:
"I believe we should claim certain rights for children and labor for their universal recognition."
-Eglantyne Jegg, founder of Save the Children (http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.B143/Official_USA_Site.htm)
Certain rights being: Life. Love. Food. Shelter. Safety. All I really want to do is help as many children as I can find a safe-haven, to feel loved--not just by me or humanity, but by the Father who created them. As I read and learn and work, that goal is my target: to save children. Other people can work out the MANY social and economical problems going on today, but this is my project! This will be my contribution to the world.
But... It is frustrating for me to feel limited; time, mostly, is my biggest obstacle. As I work to educate myself, which I do in order to be in a position of expertise, sometimes I feel like time is slipping between my fingers like sand. There is so much to do, so many children to help, so many things to learn, so many facts to sort through, so many complications, so few resources... Which direction do I go? How can I be more efficient? What can I do now?
It can feel overwhelming.
Today, as I sit in the peaceful quiet of my neighborhood, and as I contrast that to the of the terrors of Syria, there is a gnawing that makes me wonder why I am here, safe, and they are there, not safe. But, as I reflect, I remember the Old Testament story of Elijah and the widow.
"And the word of the Lord came unto [Elijah], saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
"And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.
"And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah."
(1 Kings 17: 8-16) https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-kgs/17?lang=eng
I could spend hours telling ALL the reasons I love this scripture, but for today's blogging purposes, I will focus on one:
Perhaps I was put here because God trusts me to help others. He knows that I could not rest easily knowing children are starving, and I hope that He continues to help me find ways to share with those children. Not only that, but God multiplies our efforts when we put our trust in Him first. How reassuring! How reassuring it is to everyone who is working to accomplish something, big or small, for the people around them.
For me, today, that message also speaks about a Savior who came not only to save me, but to save ALL of the children. He knows and understands their needs much more deeply than we do. Their cries are not ignored. Do we trust Him to provide?
However, we have an obligation to our part. I hope we all will unite and sacrifice for those who are suffering, who are hungry and cold, and who feel forgotten. Let us NOT forget them. Let us pray for them. Then, as the adage says, let us get off our knees and get to work!
The Church places high importance on humanitarian aid. It is a blessing and another testimony to me that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has truly been restored.
I pray you all will find a child to save. And I ask for your prayers as I do the same, because I suppose this post is me "publicly vocalizing" my commitment to the Lord:
I will do all I can to help Your little ones.
Hold me to it ;)
