I just finished watching The Grapes of Wrath. The movie was made
in 1940 with Henry Fonda and based on the award winning novel by John
Steinbeck. I remember first reading the book in 11th grade. It was
so tender and told the character’s stories so well that I completely missed the
Socialist undertones that everyone said were there. I simply saw a family
falling apart; hungry, honorable and just looking for a second chance. They
needed a little help and then they would be able to overcome the devastating effects
of the Great Depression and go on to be a success again. From the comfortable
place of years later I could easily see
that outcome, but I am sure for those who lived through it, those were
frightening times. The numbers tell the
tale today: 24.9% unemployment. That is one out of every four families… Two and
a quarter million children between ages 10 and 18 went to work to help support
their families and many many went hungry. I am sure it seemed as if there was
nowhere for a family to turn for help. In the movie the mother of the family
sums up their experience by saying,
” For a while there it looked like
we was beat, good and beat. Looked like we didn’t have nobody in the whole wide
world but enemies. Like nobody was friendly no more. Made me feel kinda bad and
scared too. Like we was lost and nobody cared. “
I cannot imagine how it was to live through that. But our
country learned a great lesson and many government programs were started in the
1930’s to make sure children didn’t starve and didn’t go without clothing,
shoes, and simple hygiene. Laws were passed to ensure that a terrible calamity
like the Depression would not take its toll on the most helpless of victims,
the children, ever again. Our country like very few others in the world has
stood by that ideology ever since.
But I think everyone of us has felt a little of what Ma Joad
said when she voiced her sense of loneliness and hurt, of being so helpless and
alone in her desolation. Every one of us has had a time of trial when we
thought, “There is no one out there who cares about me and my family. There is
no one to help.” But the truth is if you are American, there is a lot of help.
From the state programs that began 70 years ago to private groups who reach out
to families in need. Help is available.
This is beginning to sound like a Socialist treatise for
government programs and big government. Couldn’t be farther from it. This is
about defending the call to helping children everywhere.
You see, often whenever I speak about the needs of children
from other countries someone somewhere will say, “What about the kids in your
own backyard?”
Indeed, what about them.
I don’t often get into it but this time I am going to lay it
all out.
First of all, I cannot answer for everyone who works with
overseas non profits groups but for me and my family, we do care for the kids
in our town. I am the mom whose house is always open to whosoever will. I
hosted the big slumber/birthday/Christmas/Easter/Graduation Parties. I drove
other kids to church. I bought extra Christmas presents for those who needed
them. I have baby sat for single parents for free, I have given away a ton of
shoes and clothes. Not bragging, Im just stating a fact. And I bet that 99.9%
of everyone who works in Christian ministry to children overseas does the exact
same thing. Because we love kids, no matter where they are.
Secondly, we need to help the kids in third world countries
because their “Great Depression” has been going on for far too long. Economic
distress, wars, famine, persecution. And they have no government to figure out
how to protect them. There have been improvements in some places and some
governments are trying, but mostly it’s too few too late.
There are children dying.
Every hour of every day.
For no reason other than the fact that we, who have most of
the world’s wealth, can’t figure out how to live without a $4 cup of coffee
everyday and share some of what we have.
A mother’s heart talking about the emptiness of being in
need and feeling abandoned and alone should wrench your heart, not just because they were true
for our own people years ago, but because there is a mother in Rawanda tonight
saying the same thing.
And Peru.
And India.
And Honduras.
Lastly, Jesus. This is only for those who have a close,
personal, talk every night, kind of relationship with Him. Why should we care about the children around the
world not just at home? Because Jesus said to.
“See that you do not despise one of
these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the
face of my Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 18:10 ESV)
(Matthew 18:10 ESV)
Now they were bringing even infants
to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked
them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and
do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to
you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter
it.”
(Luke 18:15-17 ESV)
(Luke 18:15-17 ESV)
And of course there is His great command to us all,
Therefore go and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very
end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
(NIV)
So, should you care about Joseph Kony? Yes, he has done
unspeakable things to our children. But you know what? You should also care
about the children today who will be on the street looking through the trash
for something to put in their bellies. And little girls who will be marketed for
sale to the highest bidder. And the little boy who is huffing glue to forget
about the pain and the cold. And the nonprofit
ministry who is crying out to God to supply the money needed to buy just a
little more rice so all the kids can have one more meal tomorrow. And the
national pastor who is tucking in five extra little ones who showed up looking
for a place to sleep.
I know this country is full of great loving caring people
who can and will take care of their own children and have enough left over to
bring a few extra into their hearts as well.
There are so many groups who would love your $4 a day. Here
are a few of my recommendations.
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