Yesterday. Basically just living life in my bubble- aware of myself, my kids, and a few people I associate with.
Today- I get a newsflash about the earthquake in China. I am almost in tears reading these stories of people who have lost loved ones, people who dont know where their loved ones are, people who have no home to go to today, people who are feeling lost, and people in mourning and shock. I have never had to deal with something even close to that magnitude. I have no idea what I would do if Kylie was buried under her collapsed school, Daniel was found dead in his destroyed office, and our home was complete rubble. How do you deal with something like that?
As in opposition to my day yesterday, I am receiving a slight awareness of the millions of people suffering in this world. So I ask a question-- whats my responsibility in regards to mourning with those who mourn? I personally dont know them, and I am thousands of miles away, nor is $100 bucks really gonna help anyone. It just seems a bit shallow when millions of people are suffering and all I do is donate to some charity and go about living my life thinking I have done my good deed for the day. Obviously we pray for them, as the greatest source of comfort, hope and healing comes through/in/from our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. but what about the quote "it is usually through another person that He takes care of our needs."? What can I do? Can someone spell it out for me? We are here on this earth to serve and to help each other, so I really need to know what I am suppose to do in this situation. Reading a few news stories and feeling sorry for people doesnt help anyone, so what does help? Honestly, what is the best way to help in this kind of situation? Any ideas?
5 comments:
I am with you. I had a similar conversation with Patty this morning over these recent disasters, and I just walked away feeling petty. I feel helpless, and I don't know what I can do other than pray for these people. My heart goes out to them, it truly does, and it sounds so cliche!
Kimmy-
I think you hit it on the head that the biggest thing we can do for them and all those suffering around the world is pray for them and try our hardest to live our best so that we can be inspired and hear those promptings that guide us to action. I know I need to be better at that, it's so hard when your life is being torn 7 different directions. But if we're truly striving our best I think it's possible.
This disaster and others like the Cyclone have left me feeling the same way... hopeless. Our hearts go out to those who are suffering! I am thankful for the knowledge and love and peace the Gospel brings at these times... keep praying!
You're right. Our human compassion makes us want to reach out and help people who are suffering so much. But truly, there isn't anything we can do. Heavenly Father is watching out for them and inspiring people nearby (or in positions of greater power than we have) to come to their assistance. There are better resources for those people than us housewives half-way across the world. That doesn't mean we lack compassion, it's just simple reality.
By the same token, there are people nearer to us who we can help. Are there friends, family, neighbors, community organizations that we can serve? Even then, there's more need in our little communties than we can (or even should) try to meet on our own. Even that can feel overwhelming. I think that's why inspiration is so important. What does Heavenly Father need from us right now? It may be something as simple as being a good friend to someone who really needs it. Or it might be "grander" than that. I think the kind of service we're able to give now (when so much of our lives is given in service to our children) might be different than the kind of service we can give when we're empty nesters. And I think that's okay.
Sometimes I think if we could, we would just make all the suffering in the world go away. But then, Heavenly Father DOES have that power, but He doesn't do it. I guess there's a good reason for that. All we can do is be the person he wants us to be, right? To serve those around us with love and kindness and patience, as the Savior did.
That was very touching. I think I'm way too wrapped up in my life. . . I love Donna's comment about the service we give around ourselves. Maybe its a "pay-it-forward" effect and we can do our part in our little corner of the world to inspire others to "be a little better and stand a little taller."
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