Monday, January 3

A Mother's Heart

My sister is starting an online book study of sorts with the book Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger. Ron Sider wrote the book originally over 30 years ago which now has 5 editions, with the last one published in 2005. It is powerful and will serve as another great resource to feed what Jolene and I have a heart to do with "Awake and Alive." The first section of the book (which I am currently on) serves to show the reader some of the tragic facts about poverty.

As I'm sitting on the couch reading, I hear Selah wake up from her nap. I go and get her and then take her into Owen's room, who is stirring. I snuggle her down into the covers next to big brother and she repeats, "I'm gonna snuggle with my brother." Owen is happy and their little heads press up against each other as they look at me. Owen asks if he can have something to eat up in his bed. Caught in the moment, I acquiesce. To which Selah responds, "I don't need anything. I'm not hungry. [Opening her mouth wide] See? I'm not hungry."

As I easily scoop a snack out of the (crammed) kitchen pantry and head back upstairs, I ponder the interaction. I think about the warm, happy feeling I have looking at my two kids bundled beneath more than enough blankets on this cold, winter day. I think about their full bellies...or soon to be full bellies. I think about how incredibly blessed I am to be their mama. And I feel so incredibly burdened for the millions upon millions (actually, probably more like 2+ billion) mamas (and papas) out there who can't share this same experience with me.

"Break my heart for what breaks yours. Everything I am for your kingdom's cause...."

3 comments:

paraguayalyssa said...

Wow D. What a picture. May our hearts be broken by that which breaks the heart of God. Thank you for sharing. I am so blessed to have you in my life.

Rachael said...

I was just reading the first ch. of Outlive Your Life this morning and thinking (and crying) over how blessed we are in this county. Your words capture this so well!

karen said...

Hey Danielle,
I plan to read that book this year as well.

What a poignant picture of the struggle we face in our hearts as we are thankful for the blessings of God here but our hearts remain heavy for places far away and children in need.

Miss seeing you!