Show love...don't just say it!

One of the worst feelings in the world, to me, is feeling ignored. I equate it with the worst kind of disrespect, because it degrades the soul so readily, slowly eroding our self-worth. It sends the message that we aren't valued, aren't worth listening to, aren't worth being around. For the record- yes I am a Christian, and I believe ultimately, self-worth comes from God. I have always believed this, but I also have always believed that people are such an important part of who we are too, because they are little bits of God as well. Feeling loved, wanted, and valued by others is so incredibly important. Psychological studies have demonstrated this over and over again. Being ignored is consistently rated in polls as one of the worst human emotions one can experience. It is also consistently rated as one of the biggest fears of humankind- Christian or not. God ALWAYS loves us, but other people DO matter and are vital, if to a lesser extent. This is something I wish more Christians would acknowledge.

Africans as a generalized whole have an uncanny ability to care for each other, but do they feel ignored by the rest of the world? It's as if the rest of the world has deemed them beyond saving, beyond help. Or they have become a status symbol. You can donate money to some organization and they do the work for you. You get a little picture of a child you are helping in the mail. And then people pat you on the back and say “Oh, look at you. What a good person you are!” (please note that I am in no way knocking giving money to charity as I am a sponsor of a child through one of these organizations. I'm just saying it's almost become a way to make donors feel good, not always the child). Whether intentionally or not, it all makes my heart hurt. Life isn't supposed to be easy, but no one should ever consistently sent the message that they are too far away, their culture is too different, or they do not matter. Whether they actually DO matter to those of us who are 'privileged' is not the case. Faith without works is dead. Love is not love unless it is shown. And it's not always easy. Actually, it's often rather inconvenient.

If you do nothing else, please say a prayer or send a kind thought today for all those around the world who are starving, suffering, and do not have shelter. Or worse...those who feel alone, ignored, and not valued.

“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.” -Mother Teresa

It is not about money, race, religion, or what part of the world you live in. Keep them in your hearts. Show the world that no one is alone. Overuse the words 'I love you'... and be active about that love. Love is not real (and is far too easy to claim) unless it is shown. Find humanity in every person you meet. Everyone in this world is your friend, whether you have met them or not. Care. In a 'doing' sense, not a 'feeling' sense.

It is the least we can all do.

Tomorrow is the day.

Love to you all!