Overwhelmed

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

I don't know if it is because I have children of my own now, or if maybe by some miracle I am actually maturing :-), but this year it is really hard for me to get in to the whole Christmas scene. I'm not talking about a Grinch attitude where the sights of trees and lights repulse me. I am talking about a more humbling realization that there are so many children out there that are getting nothing. Scratch that. They are not even getting their basic needs met. I read an article that said that the Santa letter readers at the post offices are being bombarded with letters to Santa that are asking not for x-boxes and American girl dolls, but they are actually asking for things like winter coats and socks. Still some are asking not for things for themselves, but for basic needs for their parents and siblings. I'm sitting here with my heart broken for these kids.

I am not against buying nice things for our families and giving things to our children. But I am having a really hard time being holly jolly and excited when all I can see in my head are pictures of kids that are cold, wearing clothes that do not fit, and hungry, here in Weatherford. I'm more than humbled. I am heartbroken. I know there is more that I can do but am I too selfish to do it? Where do you draw the line in your life that says have a fun time with your family without completely forgetting that at the same moment you are having your holiday feast, there are children whose tummies are growling. I look at Eli and think, he is almost 5 months old and he is completely dependent on us for all his needs. Food, clothes, warmth, love. Yet there are babies his age and all around that do have the long sleeved onsies, socks, hats, food, and stuff we take for granted. Then I think about Caleb. He has such an innocence. He loves us so much and knows that when we put a jacket on him "it gonna keep me warm? it cold outside mama?" I cant imagine not having that option of a jacket and watching him shiver.

I guess I have the blessing and curse of empathy. I know in my heart that God has a special grace for those families, but at the same time the New Testament church "They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need." Acts 2:45 I guess I really don't know why I wrote this. I just wanted to get down what was in my heart. I guess that's what a blog is for right? I guess if you get nothing else out of this post, please join me in prayer for these people. Picture your kids going through those hard times and do what you can this season to help someone in need.