With the horrific devastation of Haiti, I’ve been thinking of this post. I wrote it last year and feel the urge to re-post it again. If you haven’t already, be sure to head over to Compassion’s website to donate what little you can for the Haiti Earthquake Relief. If you can’t give monetarily, give what you can: time spent in prayer.
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I can be cold.
So cold, in fact, it doesn’t really even bother me to admit that I’m cold. I think often times I come across as this girl who feels consistently impacted on this blog.
I write about the moments I am moved. But not often about the moments that leave me feeling no different than before. There are more of those in my life than the former.
I don’t cry.
I don’t entertain weakness.
I don’t enjoy needy people.
I more apt to think “get a job” when I walk by someone asking for money on the street than to think “take what I have”.
I’m not proud of it. Jesus and I are working on it.
I see the changes taking place. I feel my heart softening.
Take Jamaica for example. While vacationing last week in the Caribbean, wearing my bathing suit, sunglasses and sunscreen, I boarded a bus with my husband. We were to spend the day at the Sandal’s Resort Royal Caribbean.
We’d been on the cruise ship for about three days and were eager to dive into the water we had been surrounded by for the past 72 hours.
I’ve always loved Jamaica. My grandparents took me there as a junior high graduation gift and it is probably my most talked about vacation. Not because of any one thing we did — I’ve had vacations that were more fun. It’s just that Jamaica is so beautiful.
It’s like paradise. The water is crystal clear. The sky is bluer than you can imagine. The food is delicious. The waterfalls are awesome and filled with adventure. The resorts are stunning.
I could go on and on.
The thing about Jamaica is that on the right side of the road you might see a gorgeous mansion and then turn your head to the left and see a house without walls. With people living inside.
And you sit there, on your tour bus; an American with every opportunity within your reach and you’re stunned that people live in these broken, poor, devastating conditions.
Jamaica moves me more than most things.
I don’t know why.
It did the first time I visited. And it did last week.
Twice on the way to Sandal’s Royal Caribbean Resort, I cried.
People on the bus were dancing and singing and laughing and taking pictures with their friends.
And I was breaking.
I turned to Eric and said, “We are disgusting. We are privileged and spoiled and selfish.”
How else do you respond to this?
I’ve been thinking a lot about Jamaica this last week.
Because it’s easy to look at a dilapidated house, children without food, a wife who has lost her husband in a tragic accident or an unspeakable tragedy and feel sad.
We do that everyday.
The news comes on and we think, “That’s horrible.”
“How tragic.”
“Father, help them.”
Yet we rarely act on those things.
We often feel moved yet rarely move.
This last week the Lord has been pointing my attention to things I’d normally not see during my day and saying, “Him, over there. Jamaica.”
“Look at her, broken and bleeding inside, she’s Jamaica.”
Everywhere I look.
I see Jamaica.
It’s melting my heart.
Calling me to action.
Making me move.
About Kristen
You know, I thought of this post shortly after the earthquake. I’m still so convicted – I rarely move, even when I feel moved. I talk a good talk, but I don’t do anything about it very often.
This is beautiful Kristen! I still remember this post from it’s originally place… {dancing in the margins}. I am with Andrea … sometimes I feel like I just talk the talk. Thank you for the conviction!!
You know this one of my favorites, Kristen. Loved reading it again today. Today I sit in the middle of an ice storm (yes, even in NC), so far removed from the devastation of Haiti and others, and still, my heart is heavy for so many things. Today is day for reflection, for sitting back and talking to God; for asking some questions and for reading the good. For finding, myself, again in the story and asking my Father what he’d have me to do regarding the devastation of the world and the grace he has to offer via my feeble flesh.
By faith and with God’s Spirit living within, I will endeavor to do better.
peace~elaine
Powerful post, Kristen. Yes, we are indeed blessed. There is so much around the world and even in the US. May God show us where we can stand in the gap.
Kristen, this is all heart. My heart needed it. Thanks, my friend.
Kristen, I weep with the images you shared with us. I don’t understand how any of us can come face to face with poverty and NOT be moved into action.
Because of my upcoming article in the February edition of Exemplify, you know my heart on this. But take a look at this post I wrote after our last trip to Kenya.
http://www.marshasmusings.com/2008/12/legacy-moments-life-in-mara.html
Are you familiar with the music project CompassionArt put out by contemporary Christian artists? It’s amazing. Here’s a link to one of the songs called Friend of the Poor by Leeland. It’s on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smxFGjFVP44
Love you my friend.
Kristen,
That was one of the most powerful pieces I’ve read in a long time…AND it was my second time reading it as well.
I will be sharing it with all who share this home with me. Compassion without action is merely nice thoughts and we all know Christ was no “bump on a log.”
Jamaica will be with me as I move about my business today, which IF I am what I say I am, should NOT be about me, but rather who He created me to be…
The Father and I are working on that…
peace,
lori
“We often feel moved but rarely moved.” – this sums up how I have felt so much lately. Thank you for putting words to what I couldn’t express (again), Kristen. So many things in this world are so heartbreaking, and I feel there’s nothing I can do to make a difference. I’m challenged now to MOVE, not just “be moved”. Thank you.
~take a D out of that 2nd ‘moved’~ Wish I could edit that, sorry for the typo.
This is the first time I’m seeing this message and it touches the core of my heart. As one, with my hubby, who supports those who are in need and hurting, this message just pours out my heart in words that I could not. Thank you for your tender care…blessings and love.