Today, I’ve been struck by this:
* Clean laundry that has been shaken out but not put away and is laying on my couch.
* Dishes in the sink because the dishwasher is full and needs to be run.
* A fridge overflowing with leftovers I need to throw out because they went bad.
* A bed that needs to be made. Bathrooms that need to be cleaned. Carpets that need to be vacuumed.
How much I take for granted. I tend to look at the above list and think, “Oh gosh, I have a lot to do today and I need to get writing done!” Or, “Our house is a disaster.”
But our house is not a disaster. Our house is as far from being a disaster as it can get. We have clean clothes. We have dishes. We have food, electricity, a bed, running water and clean floors.
We have all probably seen the pictures of Haiti where people are in a genuine disaster. In a country that started off very poor, this earthquake is only worsening conditions that were already deteriorating. It makes my heart hurt to think of how many, many times I have wished for more – a bigger house, a bigger eating out budget – when there are people who are suffering so deeply right now.
I know that a lot of you are in the same boat as Jon and me – we don’t have thousands to give, but we do want to help. Compassion International is a wonderful organization that is built on Christ and is already working hard to help the people in Haiti. By texting “disaster” to 90999, you can donate $10 to Compassion for the Haiti relief. The donation will be added to your next wireless bill.
Above all else, let’s commit to praying that this earthquake will give workers in Haiti an opportunity to share the love of Christ. I don’t know why disasters like this happen, but I do know that our God is the same yesterday, today and forever and He is completely in control.
ok, so i just started reading your blog, and i did ot know you are pregnant. omgsh!! congrats!!!! i love your books sooo much!!!! i can read alll three of them in like a week….. 🙂
Question: how many books are they're going to be in the Maya series???
Thanks for posting this, Erynn. When I first started reading about the chores you mentioned, I was thinking, "Yeah, me too" and feeling bad about it. But you really put it in perspective, so thank you. Prayers for Haiti.
I totally agree with Emily, and add my thanks for this post, Erynn. You hit the nail right on the head.
The band, Third Day, is donating $20,000 to World Vision for Haiti, and they're asking fans to collectively match that donation.
I had close family friends from my church go to Haiti with the Compassion organization before the earthquake struck. They arrived 1 hour before the disaster happened. It put in perspective how much that family and people close to me really meant to me knowing that that close family might not be safe. We now know they're safe and our prayers are now with all the people of Haiti.
You know. Something just struck me as I read this. If we stopped complaining about what he HAD to do and just DID it, there would be hardly anything to complain about! And this disaster in Haiti really puts life in America in perspective, where even when the people who classify themselves as poor are richer than those people in Haiti, who just lost everything.
Anyway. I'm done preaching.
Thanks for the post!
I have so much to get done around my house today too….. but that's OK. God is in control of my time and priorities. =)
~ Jen
Thank you Erynn…. I love reading your blog and hearing your heart.
Our church supports a missionary family that flies to Haiti on a regular basis, he is a pilot, and bring food and provision for them when there is not a disaster. Now their work is even more important.
Joining you in prayer for this country that desperately needs Jesus and our love.
God bless you today… and every day. 🙂
~melissa
Beautiful sentiment, Erynn, and so true.