Money Rules Us All

Posted on October 24, 2011 by kimberly

Sometimes I think money rules us all…especially in America. And let me be clear…I do not consider this a good thing. But since this is my own blog where I am able to write about my own thoughts and my own situation, I’m not going to write about corporate greed, or the “occupy” protests. I’m not going to write about economic inequality. I’m going to write about my own struggles with money.

Recently I’ve been feeling very cramped in our condo. I love the place. It’s so bright and airy. We bought it brand new only four years ago. It looks out onto a fake wetlands, but we get the bird calls and lush vegetation nonetheless. My son has his own room, and our kitchen has all the great appliances. I should be really happy here, right? I was when we first moved in. But now…I’m just feeling cramped.

Actually, it’s more like I’m feeling suffocated…by my own possessions. It just feels like there is “stuff” everywhere. The computer has to be right next to the dining table. Toys are mixed in with photo albums. I’m one of those people who likes everything to have a place…everything to be put away…but many of our possessions just seem to float around our house aimlessly because there is nowhere to permanently store them.

So I decided that we needed to move into a house so that we’d have more space for all of our “stuff.” Due to the housing market, and other financial circumstances, we can’t do that right now. I felt sorry for myself for awhile, but now I feel like slapping myself and saying, “wake up!”

What is wrong with me? I have a shelter to live in. I never have to worry about having enough to eat. My son his healthy and happy. There are people starving in the horn of Africa. There are children dieing every day. Why can I not be happy in my own home?

I’m done with wanting bigger and better. My problem is that I feel too crowded…too cramped….so the answer is obvious. I need to get rid of the stuff that is making me feel so suffocated. I need to rid myself of this attachment to material possessions.

Probably one of the most horrible things capitalism has done is convince us that we need all this “stuff” to be happy. We need bigger (or smaller) and faster. We need handy little gadgets and things to entertain us. But we never stop to think why.

I feel trapped by money. Trapped by the system. Trapped by my own selfishness. As I was talking to Nathan about some of my thoughts, he said he guessed that is why Jesus told people to give away all their possessions and follow him. That would give such freedom. Such space to breathe and to do good.

I think instead of plotting and thinking about how I can get us into a bigger house, I will spend my energies thinking about how to get more kids sponsored. Or how to help the poor in my own neighborhood. Or how to show my child I love him more. Those are things worth caring about. Some day I may move into a bigger house. But it won’t be because I have too much stuff.

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Love

Posted on October 16, 2011 by kimberly

I’ve been thinking a lot about love lately.

Yes, the all-encompassing love I have for God. The love of thanks and passion that I have for Jesus.

Yes, the wild, motherly love I have for my son. That is the kind that has no limit. So deep that I can’t even comprehend it.

Yes, I’ve also been thinking about marriage love. The deep connection I have with my husband. The way we serve each other and support each other. The way we can look into eachother’s eyes and just…. understand. The way we watch our son growing and learning.

Yes, I’ve thought about familial love. The way I’m fiercely loyal and defensive about my brothers. The way I appreciate my parents and love them in a whole new light now that I am an adult and a parent myself. The way I enjoy watching my nieces grow and succeed and want to keep in touch with cousins and aunts and uncles.

Yes, also the way I’ve loved my friends through the years. The belly-aching laughs and the long, drawn-out cries.

There are many kinds of love. But the kinds I listed above are (mostly) easy. What about the hard kinds of love? What about the love we don’t want to give? What about the love that hurts? That is the kind I’d like to write about.

There is nothing easy about loving someone who has hurt others (or hurt you). There is nothing easy about loving someone who has differing opinions or beliefs. I have been saddened in the past few months to witness many Christians practice only the “easy” kinds of love. The warm and fuzzy kinds. I know that this does not apply to everyone. But I have seen more and more examples of Christians being picky and choosy in whom they love.

But scripture calls us to love everyone. Love of God and love of our neighbors are two pieces of the same pie….so to speak.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples,if you love one another.” (NIV, John 13:34-35)

In the Bible we see story after story of Jesus leading us by example. He spends his time with people that makes others say, “Why is he spending time with those people?” He spends time with sinners and tax collectors. He heals outcasts and lepers. He goes against the grain. I imagine for many Christians, modern day equivalents could be gays and lesbians. Maybe Mormons or Muslims. Maybe murderers. Jesus does not include any parentheses in his commandment. He does not say: “love one another (except for the gays)” He does not say “love your neighbor (but only if he hasn’t murdered someone)”. We are called to love everyone. We must love them. No matter what.

I’m not saying this is easy. I doubt it was easy even for our Savior. But we are called to do it nonetheless. Remember how Jesus was betrayed? How he died for us…yet still loved his torturers and prayed for God to forgive them?

Luke 23:34: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

We are called to remember that we are all God’s children. Even the murderers. Even the terrorists. God created every one of us, and he loves every one of us. We are called to be forgiving:

“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (NASB, Matthew 6:14-15)

As Christians we look forward to the second coming of Christ. We look forward to that day when we will kneel in front of the Lord and be judged. We will (hopefully) enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Justice will be done that day. God will make everything right. So why are we so worried about what happens here on earth? Who do we think we are? How can we think that we could possible provide the same justice as our God?

It’s why I’m so against the death penalty. In every circumstance. It’s why I feel sick to my stomach when I see the recording of Rick Perry, governor of Texas, talking about the death penalty. He seemed so proud that his state had executed so many people…and the audience cheered! All those souls….lost. They should have been given every second possible to live so that they might repent. Every minute possible to turn back to God. Isn’t that our goal as Christians? Aren’t we supposed to make disciples of all nations? Aren’t we supposed to hope for the day when every person will be living and praising God in Heaven? Again…there are no parentheses there. How can we cut off a person’s chance for salvation and then cheer? How is it practicing love of our neighbor to kill someone…no matter what they’ve done?

I am called to love. In every circumstance. It’s why I cringe when I hear people say that Osama Bin Laden deserved to die. Or any other terrorist that the U.S. has “taken out.” They did horrible things….. And I’m not trying to be insensitive. Much healing is needed because of their actions. But it is not our place to decide who lives and dies. That responsibility lies only with one. God.

Can you imagine what our world would be like if all Christians practiced love in every circumstance? What if we combined our efforts rather than fighting amongst ourselves? What if we helped the poor rather than blame them for their situations? What if we loved gays or mormons or muslims or murderers rather than condemned them? What mark would that have on our world? What shining beacon of light would that be? How many more souls would be won for Christ?

Now I want to be clear. These are just my thoughts. By no means am I saying that I am good at this “hard” love yet. But it is something I will strive for every day.

 


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10 Reasons to Sponsor a Child

Posted on October 13, 2011 by kimberly

God was a masterful creator. The beauty on this earth is astounding. It is so evident especially in the fall when leaves become brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows. I have been trying to focus more on stopping to witness the awesomeness of our world. As my son and I were on a walk the other day, we saw a squirrel preparing for the winter. It was digging a spot to bury something. How amazing that it knows what to do. But none of this is the point of my post.

God created our earth with enough resources to care for all its people. There are enough resources here for everyone to eat, and for everyone to have water. There are enough resources that no one should have to sleep without mosquito nets or go without immunizations or medicines. The fact that all of these things happen is due to an inadequate distribution of our resources.

There are so many suffering people in our world. It’s so easy to get caught up in our own lives and our own problems. Our own joys. It’s easier to forget about the people we cannot see. But they are there. Children are dieing while I write this from diseases due to unclean drinking water or malaria or AIDS or various other causes. It is easy to do nothing when the problem seems too big. One person can’t make a difference….right?

Wrong. I’d like to share ten reasons why sponsoring a child can make a huge difference. Since I recently became a child ambassador for World Vision, I’m going to share why sponsoring a child through World Vision can make a huge difference. But it really doesn’t matter what organization you donate through….it is action rather than inaction that is the key. Child sponsorship basically means that you are developing a relationship across the globe. It means you are spreading hope to those with none. It means telling one child that they are important, they matter. It means giving communities water wells and education and so much more.  So here you go:

10 Reasons to Sponsor A Child Through World Vision:

1. Sponsoring a child puts a face on those staggering statistics which make the problems of our world seem too large. It is too difficult for us to wrap our minds around such large numbers as 33.4 million people with AIDS, or about a billion children living in poverty. What do those numbers even mean? What does that look like? The Blood:Water Mission has a campaign going on right now entitled “Know Someone.” To put a face on these numbers helps us to wrap our minds around the large numbers. Knowing someone’s story makes us feel that we are making a difference. With child sponsorship, you get to know your child through pictures and letters sent across the world. You get to know their story and watch them grow. You really get to see the results of where your money and prayers are going, and the results become more real when you “know someone.”

2. It addresses all areas of need for a child. Sponsoring a child does not merely provide for the physical needs of a child. (Shelter, hunger, clothing, etc.) Since World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization, it focuses also on spiritual, emotional, and mental healing for these children. Letters sent from sponsors give children and their families so much hope. It tells them that someone that does not even know them cares enough to help. What better way to spread God’s love than that? When a person has hope, they are more able to help themselves as well. Often mothers of sponsored children experience just as big of a change in their spiritual and emotional health as their children.

3. Child Sponsorship can help a whole community. Often the biggest need a child has is clean water. Wells cost a lot of money. World Vision pools sponsorship funds in order to build larger things like wells. This benefits the whole community. An acquaintance of mine visited a community served by World Vision where a well was built. The leader of the community told her that before the well was built, 2 to 3 children died from diarrhea per month! (In a community of a couple hundred) Since the well was built, no children in that community had died from diarrhea. What an amazing gift to that community…all because of child sponsorship. It literally saved lives. Of course, child sponsorship doesn’t save lives in every instance…but it always improves them.

4. World Vision is Non-discriminatory. World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization, but it does not discriminate based on age, gender, religion, ethnicity, or anything else. They are Christ-centered, but do not force the gospel on anyone. They do not require people to be Christians before being helped.

5. World Vision is trustworthy with the funds you send. 86% of all money sent are spent on the actual programs. 9% go to fundraising, and 5% goes to management. This is a strong rating compared to other charities out there. World Vision works very hard to put as much money to the actual cause as possible.

6. Child Sponsorship pays for so much based on what you spend. Your dollar goes a long way. For only $35 a month (barely over a dollar a day) you help pay for water, food, education, health care, and more. This is all for less than the average cell phone bill. Way less than a lot of people’s cell phone bill. It changes lives.

7. Child Sponsorship helps communities become self-sustainable. The goal of World Vision through child sponsorship is for communities to be able to care for themselves without the aid of any organizations. Staff and community leaders teach people to farm, and give them other skills such as sewing or fishing that people can make a living off of. The goal is for World Vision to leave communities because they are successful on their own. This does happen! If you give a man a fish, he eats for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime. And…future children are born into better circumstances rather than poverty.

8. Through child sponsorship you are acting out the words of the gospel.

Matthew 25:40 (NLT) – “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Proverbs 19:17 (NIV) – He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

Mark 9:37 (NLT) – “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf[a] welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”

9. Child Sponsorship Addresses AIDS/HIV. Some communities where sponsorship is available, HIV/AIDS severely impacts children. In the United States there are about 400 adults for every orphan. In nine African countries, there are only 6 adults for every orphan. (The definition of orphan I am using is a child who has lost one or both parents) 90% of children who have HIV/AIDS got it from their mothers during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. Child sponsorship helps provide these affected communities with education they need (especially for pregnant women) about how the disease is transmitted and how it can be prevented. Support groups are also offered for those carrying the disease.

10. We all only have one life. Do something! We all only live once. Whether we are born in wealthy circumstances, or born in poverty, we all are born, we all live, we all die. Whether or not you believe there is an afterlife, the fact remains that we all only have one life here on earth. (Unless, I guess, you’re Buddhist, but I’m not going to get into a discussion on religion) We have one chance to make things right. We have one chance to redistribute earth’s resources so that everyone can have safe drinking water, or food, or mosquito nets. Do not let yourself think that helping only one child will not make a difference. Imagine yourself being transported to Africa or Asia, or wherever your sponsored child lives. Imagine yourself standing in front of them. Imagine them holding new schoolbooks after they’ve been to school for the first time. Or imagine them with a cup of clean water. Imagine them harvesting crops for the first time, or getting much needed medicines. Imagine a child being able to live with his or her parents for more years due to treatment for AIDS. It made a difference to that child.

If you couldn’t tell, I’m quite passionate about child sponsorship. It works. Please consider if it something for you. I’d love to answer more questions if you have any, or I’d love to talk to anyone more about child sponsorship. There are children waiting right now for sponsors. I am looking for sponsors right now for three children. I have only two weeks left to find them sponsors. Are you interested? Please let me know by commenting on this post.

If you’ve read this far, thank you very much! If I can at least spread some awareness, I’ll be happy.

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The Blood:Water Mission

Posted on October 6, 2011 by kimberly

As I have become more interested in the issue of clean water around the world, I have been looking around at different organizations which help to provide safe drinking water for people who don’t already have it. I came across the Blood:Water Mission a few weeks ago, and I’m very impressed. They see a connection between the HIV/AIDS crises in Africa and safe drinking water (since people with HIV/AIDS are more susceptible to diseases that can come from unclean water).

I wish I had known about them sooner. They launched a 1000 wells project which was finished in late 2010, but just because they’ve finished that doesn’t mean their work is done. Check out their site at www.bloodwatermission.com

Right now their newest campaign is the “Turn it: Red” campaign. December 1st is world AIDS day. I’m starting to think about how I will try to help out.

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Young Adults Unite

Posted on October 5, 2011 by kimberly

I’ve always been sort of an old soul…a home body…usually quiet and introspective. Throughout my life that has made me different from most of my peers. I enjoy curling up with a nice book and a cat on my lap (or at least I did before Elias was born). I enjoy sewing and quilting. I appreciate handmade things more than store bought ones. Social situations were usually difficult for me…especially in college when I had no interest in partying.

I like to talk about music and books and child-rearing. But most of all I like to talk about real issues. The death penalty. Abortion. HIV/AIDS. Poverty. Hunger. Religion. Christianity. Jesus. I just can’t seem to find many people my age who are interested in talking about these things. I thought maybe it was because I’m just too shy to strike up conversations with people, or because it takes awhile to get to know people well enough to be able to talk about these things. But I feel like when I bring these kinds of things up I get blank stares…like I’m a weirdo….like I’m some radical that always has some “cause.”

But I don’t know. Maybe my generation is just one that doesn’t care about what I consider to be “real” or “important” issues. Hardly anyone around my age attends church…especially in Oregon. But the real disappointment for me occurred when a magazine was mistakenly delivered to my mailbox. The girl who lives above us subscribes to a magazine which I will not name…but let’s just say it’s one that you could find near the check-out at the grocery store. As I was walking up to her door to drop it off, I flipped through the pages (that doesn’t count as reading someone else’s mail….right?) The only stories in there were such trash. So empty. They devoted like ten whole pages to showing pictures of celebrities who accidentally got photographed with underwear showing. Actresses on windy days, or athletes who answered the door at the wrong time. They were trying to make a joke of it and saying who needs to be more careful out in public.

All I could think was…why do people read this? Why is this so much more important to my peers than the famine in Africa? How can this even sell? What is wrong with our society?

Then we had dinner with one of Nate’s friends last night, and it gave me hope again. He not only has compassion for the needy, but he acts on it too. I bet there are many of us young people out in this world who care. I’m going to be spending some time soon writing about the things that I care about. No more staying inside the quiet confines of my mind for me. Anyone out there reading this care to join me? Write or talk about what is important to you. I’ll read it!

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The Many Faces of Me

Posted on October 2, 2011 by kimberly

I’m so tired of being asked, “Are you working?” Ever since Elias was born, that is probably the number one question I’ve been asked by people. Some phrase it as, “When will you go back to work?” As if it’s a sure thing. Don’t get me wrong. I loved teaching. I still do. It’s why I agreed to teach Sunday School this year. It’s why I taught summer school in July. It’s why I will hopefully teach summer school every year for awhile. But a teacher is not all that I am.

That is one major problem in our society, I think. We define each other by our jobs. Upon meeting someone it is one of the first questions asked. “What do you do?” or “Where do you work?”

I think instead of asking “How are you?” We should ask, “Who are you?”

Instead of asking “What do you do?” We should ask, “What is important to you?” or “Who is important to you?” or “What are you passionate about?” Those things would actually tell you about a person, I think.

No, I do not “work.” I do not go somewhere else 8 hours a day to do some labor in exchange for money. It took me a long time to admit to myself that I was not going back to work. I knew deep down in my heart since before Elias was even born that I wanted to stay home to raise him. Nathan and I had both agreed on it, actually. But I could not admit to myself or others that I was finished in the “professional” sphere for now. I felt too much pressure. Too many questions, too many pressures, too many judgements. Why is it that stay-at-home moms are classified only as PTA attending, soccer carpooling, frilly cupcake making women? I stay at home with my child because I love him and I don’t want anyone else to raise him but myself. I think that is the way that it was intended to be. I stay home because I love it.

I’ve been asked questions such as, “What do you do all day?” “Have you found enough to do?” What insensitive things to ask! Of course I do! I am watching a child grow and learn. I make our home a nice place for Nathan to live. And there is more to me than being a stay-at-home mom. I have passions and interests outside the home.

Of course, there are times when I’m tired of changing diapers or picking up blocks or singing “the itsy bitsy spider”. There are times when I wish I could talk to another adult or just have a free moment of quiet. But those times are infinitely small compared to the rest.

When I tell people I’m staying home they say, “good for you,” in a tone of voice that implies I am making some sort of sacrifice. That makes me so upset. I am not sacrificing. I think working moms have a bigger sacrifice. They have to spend time away from their children.

I guess I’m just trying to say that I stay at home with my son, and I’m proud of it! I will hopefully be a teacher again some day. But that is never all that I was. Please do not define me (or anyone, really) by what I do. We are all like diamonds. We have many faces that together make one beautiful product. What we “do” is just one of them.

Posted in Parenting, Vocation | 1 Comment

Making Changes

Posted on October 1, 2011 by kimberly

Having a child changed me in many ways. But there is one which I never expected. I’ve always been passionate about helping others. I’ve always wanted to, anyway. But I contented myself with saying things like, “I’ll go on mission trips when I’m retired.”…..or “I can volunteer at the Food Bank when I don’t have young children.” I’d still like to do those things. But looking back those are such empty, cop-out, make-me-feel-good-for-the-moment kind of things to say.

Jesus didn’t start preaching the Gospel only when he felt educated enough. He didn’t heal the sick only when he was feeling good himself. He didn’t wait until his retirement to help the poor. He didn’t wait until he had enough money to travel for his missions. He trusted that God would provide.

The time is now. I think I had known that for a long time, but didn’t want to admit it to myself. Because the changes I wanted to make were hard. It would take time and courage and hard work.

But I think what pushed me over the edge was having a child. How can I expect things of Elias that I do not do myself? How can I hope that he will grow into a man of God who truly follows the teachings of Christ when I do not feel that I do so to the best of my ability? I wrestled with these questions. My soul ached for change. Then I started getting information from World Vision about the famine in the Horn of Africa. I saw pictures of malnourished and starving children and I wondered, “what if that were Elias?” How is it that I am so blessed that I do not have to worry about having enough food for my child? The children dieing over there are someone’s sons and daughters. The agony of just thinking about stepping into their shoes drove me to tears. And to be honest…tears are pouring down my face right now as I write this. I had to do something.

Nathan and I agreed that we would eat out less, and donate the extra money in our budget to World Vision’s famine fund. We did that. I also got interested in the Blood:Water Mission and also became a donor for that organization. But money is not enough. I really felt out of focus. I felt that amongst all the happiness of marriage and motherhood, something was still missing.

Then I started receiving postcards from World Vision about Child Ambassadors. I started reading up on it and I really felt that it was for me. I applied, and was accepted. So now I am responsible for finding Child Sponsors for children around the globe….and it’s amazing. I feel as if I’ve finally found a way to live out Jesus’ teachings. I don’t have to wait. I can help people now. And I am. I have a new purpose away from being a mom/teacher/wife. It’s what I’ve longed for for a great while now. I’m not saying I’m perfect my any means. I guess I’m trying to say that I think I’ve found my calling. At least for this time in my life. And I’ve responded.

I’m a huge Switchfoot fan. One of the songs on their new album really resonated with me. At the end, he sings:

Every day a choice is made/Every day I choose my fate/And I wonder why would I wait til I die to come alive?/ I’m ready now, I’m not waiting for the afterlife

Maybe the situations in the song and my life are not the exact same, but it expresses how I feel in some ways. I’m not waiting anymore. Now is the time to start making a difference.

Posted in Child Ambassador, Christianity | 1 Comment