There I was... down on my knees in our hallway, with my head tucked deep in the bottom section of our linen closet putting away Kleenex and bathroom tissue from our latest run to Costco for household supplies. As I sat back to review my "compact stacking work", a deep wave of gratitude (as well as a moment of intense personal introspection), washed over me.
I sat back, looking at my full closet of supplies. I am able to go at any time and pull out a box of Kleenex or a fresh roll of tissue without the concerns of running out. Now, it may seem rather "inelegant" to mention these two specific "private human necessities" rather than something like laundry soap or bars of bath soap, but I'm reflecting over what a privileged life looks like, and when I look into my closet and see these items...
... I view myself as extremely privileged.
Others May not Have the Same Priveleges We Have
I'm wondering how many mothers tonight are cleaning their little baby's bottoms with leaves or grass in a mud hut somewhere, because they don't have even the foggiest idea where they would obtain something as luxurious as a roll of toilet paper. (Or a diaper.)
I'm thinking about the countless people tonight in the flooded typhoon zones in India and the southern parts of the United States, who have lost everything. I am certain that among them there are those who would weep uncontrollably over a fresh box of Kleenex or a place to use that toilet paper where it is sanitary and not submerged underwater.
Why am I allowed to have such grace and such provision when others are going without? And, even if I empty my entire closet out again and again and give it away, I will be able to go find my own basic supplies and replenish them with ease. (Although there were times in the past when we struggled just to make it.)
Oh my friends!
If tonight you may find yourself not feeling as blessed, well fed, or as opulent as others living around you, stop and check yourself! Check your heart! Many of us have clothing in drawers and closets that we will never wear that could go to someone else, (and would be viewed as treasure)! We have multiple pots and pans under our kitchen cupboards, lots of Tupperware and drinking glasses! The list goes on and on!
I'd like to encourage you to open your linen closets, your cupboards, your shoe closets, your clothing drawers, your pantries and garages. Begin to see all of the items contained in them with new eyes!
It is a privilege to "be privileged" to give!
Find some good sturdy boxes and put the best of what you have in those boxes! And yes, although
the families all over Texas are needing what you have, there are neighbors right down the street from you (who no one sees) that might need that Kleenex, the cans of soup, the fresh fruit sitting on your counter, or even that pair of tennis shoes that you keep thinking you're going to use again.
If you have been blessed with "the privileged life" (meaning you have food, clothing, housing and a warm place to sleep tonight), today is your opportunity to sit back and let a wave of gratitude pour over you!
Today!
This is your day to be thankful for the privileged life that you've been granted, and it's a day to rise up and be the hands and the heart of Christ extended outward to a troubled world where loss, constant pain and sorrow are raging through mass flooding, fires and wars.
We are privileged!
Yes indeed!
We are privileged!
Privileged to be able to extend what we have to bring them comfort!
"For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
I was naked and you clothed me,
I was sick and you visited me,
I was in prison and you came to me.’
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
And the King will answer them,
'Truly, I say to you, as you did these things to one of the least of these my friends, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:35
