Global Ignorance

I could blame my political ignorance on the fact that we have not had television since July of 2005; I could say I’m too busy to read up on current events on line, but they would all be a lie.  I sit here at my computer trying to will myself to read The Houston Chronicle online, or The Eagle, maybe a quick look at MSN, but I can’t.  Part of it is the fact that I am not familiar with the names splayed on the headlines, I feel a bit stupid for not knowing who Hugo Chavez is or why his name should mean something.  I know however that I can be caught up within a week of surfing the news feeds, listening to some talk radio, or maybe even discussing issues with Marc.  I know too that I’m way too proud to admit to anyone that I need help.  It’s not that I don’t care about the world around me, maybe I care too much.  This Sunday during our Bible study class we heard from a couple who had recently returned from a trip to San Salvador.  This couple is working to get funds to build a decent orphanage in the area.  They spoke of a five year old boy walking the streets on his own for a week.  My heart ached at the thought of that poor baby without a mother, without a hand to hold and help him cross the street, without the privilege of not having to think of where is next meal may come from, or where he will go when it gets dark.  What about the other five year old boys in the orphanage whose mothers dumped them to fend for themselves, the two year old girl waiting for arms to rock her to sleep, or better yet the 12 year old girl who will probably never be adopted and end up on the streets when the orphanage can no longer care for her?  My 76 X 16 home would seem like heaven to them, my unconditional love and hugs could be a way of life they’ve never known.

It’s not that I don’t care about what is happening in the world, it’s that I feel too small to do anything; to do what I feel is right.  Is it wrong for me to sometimes feel ignorance truly is bliss?  I don’t know.  The world I live in is broken.  I cannot fix it for my children.  I feel helpless.  Sure I could join and support a myriad of groups whose causes mirror my own, but how much time is enough.  Will my desire, and guilt, lead me to abandon my children’s needs to "save the world?"  God has given me three wonderful boys, He has given me all I need to care for them; a loving family throughout my childhood, parents who taught me how to love, friends whose advice I can take to heart, a loving husband and father to my children, and most of all a soul that is willing to reach out and ask Him for help when I don’t think I can care for them on my own.

So, do I miss the newsflash of thousands of people dying or yet another sodomy victim, how about the most recent actor’s drug OD or the baby dumped in a trash can, do I worry about not being able to discuss world politics at the drop of a hat or recognize the names of those whose minds are so evil as to feel justified in their killing sprees, NO!  I pray daily for those in charge of our nation and other nations; I pray for those teaching my children; I pray for my husband; I pray that my boys will grow to love God and seek Him in all they do; I pray for friends and family, I pray that I will be more willing to serve God; I do all that is in my power to do.  God gave me the power to pray directly to Him, how awesome is that