Outside Suburbia

"Are we who live in the more developed parts of the world to retreat into a cocoon of privilege while the storm rages elsewhere – for the unfortunate people in Burma or Sudan for instance? Can we excuse ourselves with talk of compassion fatigue because we now see far more than we can do anything about? … each and every one of us is responsible for making the most of our talents resources, exercising our callings, engaging fully in making a difference in our spheres of influence, and doing our utmost to help our neighbors in their need – including relieving their suffering and taking a stand against the evil that oppresses them... None of us can save the world, and to try to do so would be to flirt with despair. Our tiny circles of influence are limited, some less so than others, but for all of us that influence is significant. And when we each exercise our responsible significance and the significance of each of our callings overlaps with those of others, the ripples we make together can spread far and wide."

It is narratives like this that grab my heart and will not let me stay comfortable in suburbia living.

It is times when I see my son gather some of his toys and clothes, on his own, and put a bag together to take over to Africa (pj's, Lego's, a small calender - so the children know their birthday). It is times when I see my daughter give me her money, that she has been saving, so we can buy some blankets for children in Africa. It is times when I hear of girls 10 years old prostituting themselves up to 8, 9, or 10 times a day for a slice of bread. It is in these times that my heart is touched at the core and I ask the question: "How soon will we go?"

And when I begin to think, "Lets just stay here, invest more in our home, live safely..." I find those thoughts are short lived and my heart comes alive again when I think of the first trip Sophie and Cole will have visiting Africa or India.

It is going to be the trips to Zambia, not Siesta Key, that are going to really impact Sophie and Cole (and just as importantly, the children they visit) in ways that will shape them to be confident and compassionate individuals. And when we have confident and compassionate children who become adults, that is how we make a difference in our world - one child at a time - living in suburbia or not.