What could make a mother happy with her living room looking like this? Well, let's see...there is obviously an abundance of toys. There is new, comfy furniture to rest upon. The walls are sturdy, insulated and intact. There are STILL Christmas trees in the corner (hey, I like 'em, okay?) indicating a joyful celebration. The floors are not dirt but, instead, covered and there is a healthy, happy, well-fed little boy sitting in the mist of it all. Sure, I could be furious about the mess - I often am. I get tired of picking up day after day. Heck, hour after hour, for that matter!But, it's hard to be upset about the little things when the reality is I will never have to face the struggles, fears and dangers this mother does:
This is a Zimbabwean woman and her child fleeing across the border at Beitbridge Border post in South Africa. Can you imagine? I found this picture while going through Yahoo's Week In Photos last week.I remember as a child, thinking how lucky I was that God could have put me anywhere but He chose to allow me to be born in the U.S.A. As an adult, I came to realize there are many great and wonderful and FREE countries in this world but I still considered myself lucky to be an American citizen by birth.
But seeing the world through a mother's eyes is what will really bring you to your knees in total and complete gratitude thanking the Lord Almighty for the wondrous and generous gifts He pours onto you. That He could have chosen to put me on this earth anywhere and yet He chose to put me here - in the lap of luxury and freedom.
The woman in the above picture has nothing but the baby on her back and no idea what will become of their futures. I have a plethora of possessions that I often complain about. Now, I ask you, what's wrong with that picture?
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for all your continuous gifts and grace upon me. May I know everyday what it is that I could be suffering. I pray for the safety, health and welfare of this mother, her child, and all who are suffering like her. Amen.
9 comments:
Amen.
Excellent post!
Hope you have a wonderful day!
Karen
www.homesteadblogger.com/tagblog
Wow, there is nothing like someone else's plight to put your complaints in the "not-so-important-anymore-pile". We are so insulated here in the United States. It wasn't until I went to Mexico with my husband, to visit family, that I realized how most of the rest of the world lives in destitution. And we, by comparison, are extremely wealthy.
Thanks for the reminder of our many blessings!
Mrs. Q
Such a lovely post, bless you.
I so agree! We have so much that sometimes I fear we are blinded by it! Thanks for reminding us to think of others and give of our wealth!
You always inspire!!!!
Amen. To all of it!
I have not been making my usual blog rounds this week, and you've been busy. I missed Mommy Tip Tuesday! Well, I'll be back. Besides I need another week to think of something.
And you Barbie post had me completely and happily entertained! Thank you!
I appreciate this meaningful post. Thank you so much for getting our minds off ourselves. By American standards, I'm not very prosperous. But, really, I think that I have it pretty good.
Amanda...that is an awesome post. You hit it on the head. We have so much that we take for granted....(I like the Christmas trees in the corner too!)
The floor looks like mine when my little grand tots are visiting....except it is "trucks" instead of tea set!
Have a blessed weekend!
P.S. Loved the Anita Renfroe clip!
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