K
Kathryn_Ann
Guest
Dear friends on the forum.
Sometimes I’ll see a post by friends who are celebrating their luxurious vacations and they’ll caption their photos with “Life is Good.” But juxtaposed with some people’s fortunate lives are so many hurting people, here in our country and abroad. Many here on these forums probably work with people every day who are really suffering. When I see people captioning their fortunate lives with “Life is Good,” it makes me very sad for those whose lives are very distressing. I work among some who are abused, neglected and so sad. I’m certain that God’s creation is all very good, yet His intent is that all are rescued from despair. It saddens me to see some families struggling so hard, so it is impossible for me to post up celebratory photos and make a blanket statement such as “Life is Good,” knowing so many still need so much help.
Sometimes the most generous people are the very ones who live very well and they have so many ways they do help. But often, I hear some berate people who are on food stamps or welfare.
I was talking to a Protestant friend yesterday who is against helping people, because she feels each person is responsible for himself or herself. That may be true, but so many hard working people with children are losing jobs and some are facing foreclosures on their homes. I have another friend whose husband was just laid off and now have to buy expensive medical plans with their savings. They can’t help their present circumstances and life, for them, and people across the planet suffering from hunger, is nothing to celebrate.
And especially innocent are the little children, here and all over the world caught up in war or experiencing famine, facing disease. My friend who had no compassion for the poor felt that this is just how life is. Our discussion ended in disagreement. She feels I am a “bleeding heart” liberal. But I believe Christ’s heart breaks for everyone who is hurting and in despair. How can we celebrate when others suffer?
I struggle for a balance between celebrating my blessings and working to help others. Mostly, I am sad to see photos of people celebrating and captioning their photos with “Life is Good,” their wine glasses raised triumphantly onboard their yachts or at big feasts, as if these words approach the reality lived by millions of people. Seeing those captions “Life is Good,” seems to have more to do with what they personally enjoy, rather than embracing other’s struggles so that life* could* be better for those less fortunate.
I don’t believe it’s only saints and people with “special callings” who are supposed to feel other’s suffering and help alleviate their distress. We are all part of the Body of Christ. If someone’s own family member were suffering, that person would not feel like celebrating and would “bow out,” of the party and everyone would understand. If even the least part of the body is in pain, aren’t we to feel that pain just as keenly and rush to help them? How different do you think the world would be if instead of feeling the need to constantly celebrate, we instead embraced and included more people so they could have a place at the banquet?
Should we be setting examples in our own families as how to balance one’s blessings with the reality of other’s great suffering? Shouldn’t the message be “Life is good, when we share the blessings…?”
Sometimes I’ll see a post by friends who are celebrating their luxurious vacations and they’ll caption their photos with “Life is Good.” But juxtaposed with some people’s fortunate lives are so many hurting people, here in our country and abroad. Many here on these forums probably work with people every day who are really suffering. When I see people captioning their fortunate lives with “Life is Good,” it makes me very sad for those whose lives are very distressing. I work among some who are abused, neglected and so sad. I’m certain that God’s creation is all very good, yet His intent is that all are rescued from despair. It saddens me to see some families struggling so hard, so it is impossible for me to post up celebratory photos and make a blanket statement such as “Life is Good,” knowing so many still need so much help.
Sometimes the most generous people are the very ones who live very well and they have so many ways they do help. But often, I hear some berate people who are on food stamps or welfare.
I was talking to a Protestant friend yesterday who is against helping people, because she feels each person is responsible for himself or herself. That may be true, but so many hard working people with children are losing jobs and some are facing foreclosures on their homes. I have another friend whose husband was just laid off and now have to buy expensive medical plans with their savings. They can’t help their present circumstances and life, for them, and people across the planet suffering from hunger, is nothing to celebrate.
And especially innocent are the little children, here and all over the world caught up in war or experiencing famine, facing disease. My friend who had no compassion for the poor felt that this is just how life is. Our discussion ended in disagreement. She feels I am a “bleeding heart” liberal. But I believe Christ’s heart breaks for everyone who is hurting and in despair. How can we celebrate when others suffer?
I struggle for a balance between celebrating my blessings and working to help others. Mostly, I am sad to see photos of people celebrating and captioning their photos with “Life is Good,” their wine glasses raised triumphantly onboard their yachts or at big feasts, as if these words approach the reality lived by millions of people. Seeing those captions “Life is Good,” seems to have more to do with what they personally enjoy, rather than embracing other’s struggles so that life* could* be better for those less fortunate.
I don’t believe it’s only saints and people with “special callings” who are supposed to feel other’s suffering and help alleviate their distress. We are all part of the Body of Christ. If someone’s own family member were suffering, that person would not feel like celebrating and would “bow out,” of the party and everyone would understand. If even the least part of the body is in pain, aren’t we to feel that pain just as keenly and rush to help them? How different do you think the world would be if instead of feeling the need to constantly celebrate, we instead embraced and included more people so they could have a place at the banquet?
Should we be setting examples in our own families as how to balance one’s blessings with the reality of other’s great suffering? Shouldn’t the message be “Life is good, when we share the blessings…?”
erhaps that is why our dear Lord Jesus told us to give away one coat if we have two! Your posting suddenly reminded me of that. You are so good to remind us of the wholeness of God. He can help us balance things.
:heaven:
