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How comfortable are you?

Welcome to the First Church of America - A Little Something I Wrote. Click on the pink writing to read that. :)

I've sat in sadness and horror these past few days as the news has given us just small glimpses into the collapse of the Afghan government. Politics aside, which is difficult in that is seems that is what is at the heart of this mess, I'm heartbroken for the people. Today the pictures showed a plane stuffed likely beyond capacity of people leaving their homeland with little more than what clothes they were wearing just to escape the evil regime now in charge. But for every one that escaped, how many more were left? How many women and children will suffer atrocities at the hands of evil now? How many young boys will be forced to be soldiers? How many men will be forced to choose family or country? How many Christians will lose their lives just because they bear that name: Christian?

Heartbreaking. I'll admit to not being one that is always up to date on what is happening in the news because I just can't stand the evil in the news. I also know on any given day even in the US horrible things are happening. My thoughts strayed so far last week as to wonder about the girl standing on the corner by Target begging for money. I wondered because she was dressed fairly nicely if she might just be a victim of human trafficking. Yes, that is happening even here.

So what's my point? America...let's get closer to home. Illinois...no, closer. Rockford. How comfortable are you? 

Do you have what you need - shelter, food, clothing, religious freedom or even just freedom itself?

If you answered yes, which I'm fairly sure you did, when was the last time you thanked the Giver of those gifts. Yeah, they're all gifts. And we have an awful lot to be grateful for.

I get so comfortable here in my cozy side of the world that I don't stop to think about others sometimes. I don't stop to realize that others have way bigger concerns that not being able to find the right size of school uniform when they aren't sure their child will even be able to attend this year. I don't stop to realize that other have way graver concerns than being angry that masking up is coming back when they don't even know if their loved one will live through another bout of illness caused by poor housing let alone if Covid strikes. I don't stop to realize that others have way bigger concerns than where to eat for dinner when they aren't sure IF they will have enough food to last the week, let alone the month.

This week has been an introspective one for me. How about you?


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