Perspective

I was humbled the other day, and I thought the story was worth sharing because I think it's good to have your perspective widened and adjusted every once in a while, to be reminded that not everyone's life is like yours. I am even more aware of these things now that I have a child, because there are so many good things in our lives that she will grow up with that I take for granted.

I support a child in Lesotho, Africa, through World Vision, and I get periodic updates about what World Vision is doing in the community through their Area Development Program. Among the things that the ADP assisted with in the community this year:

• Participation in a Children's Mock Parliament, where children were able to debate child welfare issues, including lobbying for a law to prevent child abuse
• Birthday packages that included school socks, notebooks, pens, and paper for covering books
• Training on property rights for orphans 
• School textbooks
• Learning to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS
• Once-a-month prayer clubs for children, where they learn about God's love through the Bible
• Construction of a school building so children can learn without being distracted by adverse weather
• Construction of teachers' living quarters so teachers can focus on their work and not traveling long distances every day
• Teaching those affected by HIV/AIDS about accessing social grants and improving their nutrition through proper preparation of food

I was excited to see what exactly was going on in the community with my monthly $35. At the same time, I realized what a different world Lesotho, Africa is.

I NEVER wonder whether Alexandra will have to regularly sit outside on a cold day to learn, or possibly not have access to a textbook she needs for a particular subject. I live in a country where there are already laws against child abuse. Notebooks and pens were everyday items when I grew up; that's not something we would really even consider a birthday present. I had parents who taught me what I needed to know about God and the prevention of HIV/AIDS from a young age; I truly can't imagine not knowing that Jesus loves me or that there are easy ways to prevent STDs.

So I had my perspective changed, and as I read the letter from the program manager, one Morake Rakhoba,  I came across this line: "We appreciate the sacrifices that you have made, especially in these challenging economic times, to better the lives of others less fortunate than yourself." And I stopped reading.

I haven't made any sacrifices. I can give $35 a month and still have a warm house, two cars, all the food I want, eat out once or twice a week, go to Starbucks once a week, buy new clothes whenever I need them, feed my dog and take him to the vet, have access to healthcare and vaccinations for me and my daughter, buy Christmas presents for friends and family members, and drink, bathe in, and even bathe my dog in clean water whenever I want.

I am truly not trying to make anyone feel guilty. Please don't! Guilt is usually not productive. But I do want to encourage you that if you've been thinking about giving to a charity or a good cause, please do. Using what God has blessed you with to bless someone else can only help make you more grateful and offer a healthy, humbling perspective. I've found that viewing most of my life as a luxury rather than a necessity actually makes me happy, and more willing to give to those who don't even have the necessities. Generosity is truly one of the areas where God gives the most joy.