So often, I consider my list of "ailments" and pains; back pain, chest pain, coughing, etc. I'm quick to point out when I'm not feeling well. I'm quick to let the world know when I've been wronged or when I'm in a bad mood, or when someone else hurt me, or when I don't get my way.
Well, today - two things have inspired me to shut my mouth, quit complaining, and be THANKful! The first thing was Sundy's Blog Post about being thankful. An amazingly written post that I need to read over and over and over again. (And most of all, actually do what it says!
The second thing, and definitely the most moving, was this... I've had the privilege of helping Village of Hope (the organization I went to Uganda with), in the child sponsorships. I'm looking over a list of children right now that we hope to move to the new land in April (yay!) and my heart aches for them. This spreadsheet contains all sorts of information about the children, but the biggest thing that sticks out to me, is their "Health Problems." I mean, talk about a slap of reality. I think I have problems?!
(Now is the time for you to click the picture on the top of the blog to see a bigger version to read.)
Note the ages of some of these children... And keep in mind that the war has been "over" for almost 3 years, so you can go ahead and subtract 3 years from their age and just assume that's the latest the symptoms started. And well, actually, the war went on for over 20 years, so that covers the life-span of every child on this list. No telling what they had handed down to them, what they were born with, and what was just a matter of time for them.
So, I hope this is a reminder to all of us - to be thankful, to pray for those in need and distress, and to remember that the world does not revolve around you.
Love you all!
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5 comments:
OK YEAH THANKS FOR THE TEARS WHILE READING ABOUT THOSE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN!!!! WOW SHANEN! That is a great tool to remind me to be thankful and to help me realize just how good we all have it. With that screen and those issues we should have nothing to complain about. Thanks for sharing that. It really went with what God is doing in me. I love you!
Wow this is a very real reminder isn't it? After looking at the list, you can see these children were abducted as early as 7 years old! I can't even imagine. My heart goes out to them and I commend both you and Village of Hope for being the brave souls that you are by helping them.
It really was eye-opening. I read your blog, and then shortly after, pulled this Excel sheet up. They go hand-in-hand. If you do the math backwards, it's really sad. One of the girls is now 13, she was abducted for 6 years - which means she was at the oldest SEVEN when she was abducted. She could have been even younger. It breaks my heart to think of that!!!!!
Wow...so heart wrenching...I kept thinking...that could Be Norman, or Stella, or Norbert, or Moses, or Irene...gosh...thank God for VOH and what they are doing. May God heal each one of these precious children as they come to the new homes! May they be anointed even now to prepare for the healing that will come by the love of God in that place! I am so excited for these kids, what a wonderful gift to be able to leave those camps and go to such an amazing place! Praise God!
Great post Shanen. Blessings on you as God uses you!
I am right with you Shanen with being thankful. If our focus is on what we have and what we don't have, we will be a much more content group. I would like to more know about these Child Sponsorships....
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