The issue of social injustice has been hitting me frequently, and like most Americans it hits me, then I go back to doing whatever I was doing unchanged. The movie Hotel Rwanda puts it best. When the main character saw that there were American journalists in Rwanda getting the story of the tragedy going on there, he was happy because he thought this was a way for Americans to learn about what is going on and help. The news journalist informed the main character that America would be horrified for a brief moment and then go back to eating their dinner unchanged. Wow! How true?
Today I was listening to a sermon by my favorite pastor, Rob Bell. He is at an amazing church in Grandville, MI (right outside of Grand Rapids), and I had the priviledge of attending his church while I was going to school up there. Anyway, in his sermon he is talking about the fact that 1 in 10 people in Grand Rapids are unable to pay their food bill. Forgive me if I am stepping on any toes here, but I doubt those are the rich dutchmen living in Grand Rapids!
He also gave another statistic of tragedy that is happening in Sudan at present time. He mentioned that the devastation taking place in Sudan right now is equivalent to our 9-11, multiplied by 100,000 or 200,000! That statistic is staggering to me. So, again, what are we going to do about it?
I really am afraid of sounding self-righteous here... and forgive me if I come across that way (it is not my intention!), but I am to the point where I am getting physically sick when I see a wealthy American, and it is not sick with jealousy! I would like to think if I were in a position of wealth that I would do so much more with it than buy BMW's and extravagant houses!
We are by far the wealthiest country, and all we do is continue to obtain more more more... We are living in a country where we are lining up for a $600 game console a week before it comes out, where in other countries people are lining up for their daily portion of food. Does this seem a little out of balance? It does for me, and it makes me want to weep!
As Jason and I continue to raise Kaelyn, and any other children in the future, we want to teach them how to be content. But, how do we do that in a society that is continually telling us we need more and more and more to be happy? The truth is, stuff makes us happy, but that happiness is temporary, then we need more stuff to make us happy. Maybe stuff isn't where happiness is! Maybe happiness is living life to the fullest that we were intended to live life?
I'm sorry if I am getting preachy here, but my heart absolutely aches when I see people here in Southern California drop $2,000,000 on a house, which is definitely not a necessity, and that money could feed an entire starving country. Now, I am not saying that we are all supposed to live in mud huts and eat off the land. But, can't we as Americans be a little more generous and helpful to those who are even within our boarders who can't provide for themselves?
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
The Day After Thanksgving Blues
Well, it is the day after Thanksgiving. And right now most people are fighting the crowds at the malls trying to get great deals on Christmas presents. While most of America has the day off today, I am sitting here alone doing what I do every day... taking care of Kaelyn... while Jason is at work.
There are a few things that I don't like about Jason's job. Both of which are bothering me today. The first one is that while most of America has off, he is working. I guess death doesn't understand that it is the day after Thanksgiving, and most people have off. The second thing is on-call. Jason got paged at 5:30 this morning to go out on a visit. So, not only am I alone on the day after Thanksgiving, but I have been alone since about 6:00 this morning. I'm not mad at Jason at all, it is the nature of the job. But it still stinks!
So, why is it that today is harder than any other average day? I am still taking care of our beautiful daughter, I am still taking care of the house? I don't usually have an issue with this. I do this every day with no problem. So why does my mind know that every one else has the day off today except my husband? I don't understand!
It isn't like I don't have things to be happy for! Jason and I put up Christmas decorations last night (and I am working on some more today), and one of my best friends from Chicago, Kathi, will be here tonight. So... I don't know why I am stuck with the day after Thanksgiving blues!
There are a few things that I don't like about Jason's job. Both of which are bothering me today. The first one is that while most of America has off, he is working. I guess death doesn't understand that it is the day after Thanksgiving, and most people have off. The second thing is on-call. Jason got paged at 5:30 this morning to go out on a visit. So, not only am I alone on the day after Thanksgiving, but I have been alone since about 6:00 this morning. I'm not mad at Jason at all, it is the nature of the job. But it still stinks!
So, why is it that today is harder than any other average day? I am still taking care of our beautiful daughter, I am still taking care of the house? I don't usually have an issue with this. I do this every day with no problem. So why does my mind know that every one else has the day off today except my husband? I don't understand!
It isn't like I don't have things to be happy for! Jason and I put up Christmas decorations last night (and I am working on some more today), and one of my best friends from Chicago, Kathi, will be here tonight. So... I don't know why I am stuck with the day after Thanksgiving blues!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Left Behind
Tomorrow I will be saying goodbye to a great friend. She is moving to Delaware! I still haven't realized how sad this is going to make me, but I am starting to.
I always thought this only happened in books, but Susan and I met in our child birthing class at the hospital! We hadn't really talked much, but ran into each other after our daughters were born. We got to talking and found out that her daughter (Eden) and Kaelyn were born on the same day. We met for lunch, and our friendship escalated from there.
Since our friendship began, we have been getting together about once a week to hang out and let our daughters play together. But, tomorrow is going to be the last time. I can't imagine what I am going to do without Susan being around!
I love watching our daughters play and interact with each other. Susan and I had often talked about how excited we were to have our girls grow up together, and how fun that they would share a birthday. And, I am even sad for Kaelyn that she is losing her little play buddy, even though she has no clue what is going to happen tomorrow. And I keep picturing us seeing Susan, Jeremy, and Eden like a year from now, and Eden will be so much more grown up, and have no clue who Kaelyn is. Sad!
So, through all of this, I have realized that it is much easier to leave than to be left. (Not saying the leaving is easy either, but I think it is easier!) When you leave, you have something new and exciting to look forward to, and while you grieve the friends that you are leaving, you know there is a whole new world for you to discover when you get to where you are going. (And how many friends have we vowed to keep in contact with, and a month later we have totally forgotten about them?) When you are the one left, you now need to figure out how to fill the void of the person that was there, while you continue in life as normal. Make sense?
So often I have been the leaver. And there are some friends that I still deeply miss; however, there are friends that I have made in my new location. And now I am finally realizing what it is like to be left. I admitted to Susan on Monday, that in the back of my mind I am expecting her to say, "We've changed our mind... We're staying." But I know the reality of that isn't going to happen!
Don't get me wrong... I am so excited for this new chapter of life for Susan, Jeremy, and Eden. And I know that God will bless them richly in their new journey. But, I can't help being a little selfish and wishing that my friend could have stayed in California!
I always thought this only happened in books, but Susan and I met in our child birthing class at the hospital! We hadn't really talked much, but ran into each other after our daughters were born. We got to talking and found out that her daughter (Eden) and Kaelyn were born on the same day. We met for lunch, and our friendship escalated from there.
Since our friendship began, we have been getting together about once a week to hang out and let our daughters play together. But, tomorrow is going to be the last time. I can't imagine what I am going to do without Susan being around!
I love watching our daughters play and interact with each other. Susan and I had often talked about how excited we were to have our girls grow up together, and how fun that they would share a birthday. And, I am even sad for Kaelyn that she is losing her little play buddy, even though she has no clue what is going to happen tomorrow. And I keep picturing us seeing Susan, Jeremy, and Eden like a year from now, and Eden will be so much more grown up, and have no clue who Kaelyn is. Sad!
So, through all of this, I have realized that it is much easier to leave than to be left. (Not saying the leaving is easy either, but I think it is easier!) When you leave, you have something new and exciting to look forward to, and while you grieve the friends that you are leaving, you know there is a whole new world for you to discover when you get to where you are going. (And how many friends have we vowed to keep in contact with, and a month later we have totally forgotten about them?) When you are the one left, you now need to figure out how to fill the void of the person that was there, while you continue in life as normal. Make sense?
So often I have been the leaver. And there are some friends that I still deeply miss; however, there are friends that I have made in my new location. And now I am finally realizing what it is like to be left. I admitted to Susan on Monday, that in the back of my mind I am expecting her to say, "We've changed our mind... We're staying." But I know the reality of that isn't going to happen!
Don't get me wrong... I am so excited for this new chapter of life for Susan, Jeremy, and Eden. And I know that God will bless them richly in their new journey. But, I can't help being a little selfish and wishing that my friend could have stayed in California!
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Lessons Learned at In-N-Out Burger
First of all, I just have to say, if you have ever been to California and have not eaten at an In-N-Out Burger, you missed out on a big part of Californian culture! With that out of the way, I will now continue.
Today, Jason and I took Kaelyn to the Los Angeles Zoo, and instead of paying a ridiculous price for zoo food (I'll save that for another blog), we decided to eat elsewhere. We ended up at In-N-Out Burger.
Every time I am at In-N-Out Burger, I am amazed at how many people are there. And what is the most amazing thing to me every time is there are really only two things on the menu, as far as food. A burger, and fries. Granted, you can choose your burger with cheese, or a double double. But that is all they sell... A burger and fries. There is no chicken option, there is no Go Active healthy meal, there is no onion rings, and there is no fresh fruit cup substitute... A burger and fries. And, I am willing to bet that In-N-Out Burger is just as busy as McDonalds on a given lunch hour, maybe ever moreso!
So, what makes a restraunt so popular when their menu consists of two things? They do it well!!! Everything is fresh! The meat is fresh, the potatoes (is that right, Mr. Quayle?) for the fries are fresh, the veggies they put on the burgers are fresh. Interesting... They have determined that they sell burgers and fries. And they put all their energy into burgers and fries. And they have become just as successful as any other fast food restraunt in California. Any implications for us in America? I'll let you decide!
Today, Jason and I took Kaelyn to the Los Angeles Zoo, and instead of paying a ridiculous price for zoo food (I'll save that for another blog), we decided to eat elsewhere. We ended up at In-N-Out Burger.
Every time I am at In-N-Out Burger, I am amazed at how many people are there. And what is the most amazing thing to me every time is there are really only two things on the menu, as far as food. A burger, and fries. Granted, you can choose your burger with cheese, or a double double. But that is all they sell... A burger and fries. There is no chicken option, there is no Go Active healthy meal, there is no onion rings, and there is no fresh fruit cup substitute... A burger and fries. And, I am willing to bet that In-N-Out Burger is just as busy as McDonalds on a given lunch hour, maybe ever moreso!
So, what makes a restraunt so popular when their menu consists of two things? They do it well!!! Everything is fresh! The meat is fresh, the potatoes (is that right, Mr. Quayle?) for the fries are fresh, the veggies they put on the burgers are fresh. Interesting... They have determined that they sell burgers and fries. And they put all their energy into burgers and fries. And they have become just as successful as any other fast food restraunt in California. Any implications for us in America? I'll let you decide!
Friday, November 3, 2006
Manna from Heaven
Most people have a general idea about the story in the Bible about Moses & the Israelites wandering around in the dessert for 40 years trying to find the promised land. At our church right now we are going through a series in the Old Testament, and right now, that is the story we are on. And I got to thinking about it. How many times have I heard this story interpreted as, "Those dumb Israelites... God kept providing manna for them, why did they continue to question him..." Or something similar to that comment. For the first time when reading this story, it makes sense to me why the Israelites continued to question God's provision for them
Let's think about this realistically... 40 years is a long time. Have any of us ever had to endure something that lasted 40 years? I haven't even been on this planet for 40 years, let alone endure walking in the hot, sticky wilderness with no shade and "just enough manna". (Which we learned this past Sunday that the trip should have only taken 2 weeks!) Ok, so now instead of the typical "what is your wilderness" application... my application is "what is your manna?" Let me explain.
God provided just enough manna for the Israelites, but they continued to doubt. From our perspective of reading the story it is easy to say, "Stupid Israelites." However, what does God continually provide for us, yet we continue to doubt? My first thought is money. How many of us wish we had more money? I know for Jason & me, God continues to provide just enough each month, with a little extra, thankfully! However, sometimes it is easy to say, "But God, that isn't enough." Or, "But God... we really want a house (which are ridiculously priced at the moment, which would be a stupid purchase anyway!)
I really believe that there is more application to this story than simply "What is your wilderness!" (Which I don't think that is a bad application!) But to really enter into the story, and realize that we too receive manna from heaven on a daily basis, yet continue to doubt. I wonder if anyone were to read the book of my life story how many would say, "Stupid Leigh Anne... why couldn't you trust God's provision!"
Let's think about this realistically... 40 years is a long time. Have any of us ever had to endure something that lasted 40 years? I haven't even been on this planet for 40 years, let alone endure walking in the hot, sticky wilderness with no shade and "just enough manna". (Which we learned this past Sunday that the trip should have only taken 2 weeks!) Ok, so now instead of the typical "what is your wilderness" application... my application is "what is your manna?" Let me explain.
God provided just enough manna for the Israelites, but they continued to doubt. From our perspective of reading the story it is easy to say, "Stupid Israelites." However, what does God continually provide for us, yet we continue to doubt? My first thought is money. How many of us wish we had more money? I know for Jason & me, God continues to provide just enough each month, with a little extra, thankfully! However, sometimes it is easy to say, "But God, that isn't enough." Or, "But God... we really want a house (which are ridiculously priced at the moment, which would be a stupid purchase anyway!)
I really believe that there is more application to this story than simply "What is your wilderness!" (Which I don't think that is a bad application!) But to really enter into the story, and realize that we too receive manna from heaven on a daily basis, yet continue to doubt. I wonder if anyone were to read the book of my life story how many would say, "Stupid Leigh Anne... why couldn't you trust God's provision!"
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