I just happened upon the blog of a 20 year-old girl, Katie, who is living and serving in Uganda, mothering 13 orphaned children and caring for hundreds in a near by village. All.by.herself.

As I read through Katie’s life story she tells through her blog I am literally brought to tears. Partly because of the great lavishness for which Ryan and I live our lives and partly because of the deep despair, specifically of the children, of the people of Uganda – and certinaly Africa as a whole.

Katie’s blog is an open and honest account of her daily life being an adoptive mother to 13 and reaching so many others through pratical health and food needs.

I believe the last statistic I heard was that if you make more than $20,000 a year, then worldwide you are considered rich. If I made $20,000 a year, I am confidant I would feel poor.

I know that in my own life God has provided for our family financially far beyond what we need. We do have a few individuals and families that we send support money to, but I know that we are not currently giving to a point that affects the ebb and flow of our life’s activities. Our family can give more. But instead, I usually take more for myself. I am not trying to go on a virtual guilt trip, or give anyone else one. I am just mulling through the reasons of my own apathy and selfishness. I know that I am easily distracted by notions of what most call “The American Dream” or “wanting the best for my child” or “little treats.”

Just a few thoughts for today.

Disturb us, Lord, when We are too well pleased with ourselves, When our dreams have come true Because we have dreamed too little, When we arrived safely Because we sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, when With the abundance of things we possess We have lost our thirst For the waters of life; Having fallen in love with life, We have ceased to dream of eternity And in our efforts to build a new earth, We have allowed our vision Of the new Heaven to dim. Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, To venture on wider seas Where storms will show your mastery; Where losing sight of land, We shall find the stars. We ask You to push back The horizons of our hopes; And to push into the future In strength, courage, hope, and love.

attributed – sir francis drake -1577