Thursday, September 15, 2011

Dear God,

Often I struggle with the inequities in life. When I slip into my comfortable bed in my beautiful home at night and begin to pray giving thanks, I am reminded that there are many who have no bed, no home. When I pray over my meals, I ask for your blessing but I remember there are those without food. When I am thirsty and I drink a cup of cool, clean water, I recall the disease-ridden water in other parts of the world. When I drive away in my car for a destination of my choice, I realize there are those who travel by foot, many without shoes. When I end my days with prayers of thanksgiving, I feel like a hypocrite.

When my day is relatively calm and I feel blessed, I think of women and children who live in fear 24/7. When I worship in my favorite church on Sunday morning, I acknowledge there are those whose faith is deep yet hidden because of prejudice and hatred. When I call my family and talk for as long as I want, I know there are families many miles apart unable to connect for even a moment.

How am I to live with these inequities? How am I to change the conditions of others? How am I to live a life of good stewardship caring for my brothers and sisters all over the world?

What good is my life if I do not contribute to the well being of others?

Shake me loose
from possessions
that keep me comfortable
while others
starve and die.
Make my
bones ache
for my neighbor.
Shape me
for others,
I pray.

Love, Andrea