"The day our lives begin to end is the day we remain silent about things that matter." Martin Luther King Jr.Have you ever been in a situation where you should have spoke up but chose not to?
Most of us have at one time or another. We will speak up about things that effect our lives but don't think for a minute to speak up for those who can't speak for themselves. I have a mouth. I try my best to use it for good and not evil! And there are times I believe in something so strongly or see someone treated badly that my voice comes forth like the mighty lion roaring in the jungle! Not always a good way to get your point across. But either is keeping silent.
For example. I am a huge dog lover. BUT! when that commercial about the pets being abused, neglected and needing homes comes on two emotions go through me.
1. I want to cry 2. I get a little upset and think "use the money it took to make that commercial and use it for the children in the world who are abused, neglected and need a home! The thing is that someone believed that animal abuse needed to be brought to our attention so they spoke up and did something about it. For that I admire them. It is those who refuse to remain silent who get results.
When we go to bed at night in our nice warm homes, with our full tummy's and running water there are kids somewhere in this world who are laying on the ground some inside, some outside, no blanket, no protection from the elements.The fear and cold take over their little bodies and they don't sleep. There are 6 & 7 year old out on the street begging for food for the sibling they are taking care of because their parents are dead. They walk through garbage dumps with no shoes looking for something, anything to eat. They do not have a mom and dad to tuck them in at night and promise them that everything will be all right. They are alone.
Several times a week I will open my email for Hug Away and there will be an email about a child who is waiting to be adopted. Each of them touch/break my heart. But the ones who really get to me are the older kids who have waited and waited and are running out of time.
I have information sent to me about younger children who have a very fixable special needs that sit and wait for someone to adopt them.
There are children who die in the orphanages and all they needed was a simple heart surgery. But because the funds were not available for their surgery or a family didn't step up and adopt them they lost their battle.
Silence is not always golden. And of course opening your mouth and bringing attention to something that makes a lot of us (including myself) uncomfortable doesn't always have positive results. And sitting around thinking someone else will do it doesn't work either.
In the year 2010 my prayer is that more people will speak up for the sake of those who have no voice. Adoptions are way down I pray that they will go way up!! I pray that those who are unable to adopt or go on mission trips but desire to help will donate the money needed so those of us who can go can make a difference on your behalf.
Never, ever think that you can not make a difference. All it takes is action on your part to do whatever you can do with all the love you have in you. It is entirely up to you.
I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again. ~William Penn
Pictures of orphans who need us to speak for them
