At dinner the other night, we opened the book we read from nearly every evening, Window On The World . It offers a different country to learn about and pray for each day.
After my hubby read a few facts, we said a short, simple prayer for the vast country, known for it’s many gods and extreme poverty.
We returned to our food, chatting about the day, when I noticed my oldest child deep in thought, fork mid-air.
Thoughtfully, she said, “Why does America care about forests and endangered animals more than the starving people of the world?”
My son added, “Yeah, they care about plant and animal species more than their own species.”
They are 10 and 8 years old. It is astonishing to me that they see this deficiency in the human spirit and many adults don’t.
What would you say to them?
Other than we live in a very screwed up world.
*Updated* Some of my numbers were causing a stir. I got them off the Internet, but turns out they are many different opinions about how much our government spends. I stand by my opinions, but in an effort to stop all the emails, I decided to take down the numbers.
I know, it is just so crazy. Coaches are getting paid millions of dollars to COACH a team and their are sick/dying/poor people in this world? Like. can we get our priorities straight here??!
You are blessed to have such amazing kiddos!
my kids have said that almost verbatim.
love your passion in this area. thank you for sharing it.
amy in peru
http://apilgrimsproject.blogspot.com
Nothing more to add to that. Well said.
I found your blog a couple weeks (?) ago and am really enjoying your writing. Just thought I’d stop in and say hi, if I haven’t already (yeah, my memory is that bad!)
Blessings!
Out of the mouth of babes, indeed! I was immediately reminded of the verse in Romans (1:25) how they traded truth for a lie, and worshiped and served the created things, rather than the Creator. Priorities get twisted when God is not the center.
Great post! Thanks!:)
Linda C
Amen, Sister! Isn’t is sad that our children pick up on the important things in life that so many adults don’t? Or, maybe we just don’t give our kids enough credit for their honesty and passion for life. I just finished reading Do Hard Things and blogged about it. Sounds like a book your children will enjoy in a few years! Praying God continues to touch their hearts as they grow!
Unfortunately, I believe the majority of our country is an “out of sight, out of mind” population. I was showering the other night after what I’d call a long hard day. Then it dawned on me, we SHOWER in CLEAN water, cleaner water than most of the world even has to drink. Then it dawned on me even further how my day, compared to Mother’s who had to worry about their starving children or sick dying children, had NOTHING on their day. I was disappointed in myself. And I’m disappointed in others. and I’m sad.
I think it’s wonderful you are teaching your children to be better, different than the majority of people standing around them.
I couldn’t agree more! Our country puts too much importance on the things that don’t matter.
So sad, but so true…. You have very wise children with the heart of God for the poor — what a blessing! You are absolutely right!
I think that what I am trying to teach my children is that it isn’t either/or, it is both/and. Our dollars go to support relief efforts, clean drinking water, micro-business loans in developing countries, agricultural efforts. The way we live our lives tries to get at the root of the problem. Some of the countries are in the position they are in because of vanishing species of plants and animals. Deforestation, lack of biodiversity (i.e. big agribusiness coming in and getting them to switch from their thousand year old native crops to genetically modified plants that end up costing them more than they can afford) are putting some countries in peril. Not to mention that in America we consume at the cost of the resources in 3rd world countries. So while I may look on the surface like a dyed in the wool environmentalist, it is from the belief that saving the environment benefits ALL countries. Saving plants AND the people who depend on them.
I have no answer to the sports salary thing. Spending billions a year on entertainment when people are starving…no justification for that.
You are so right..I enjoy reading your posts and learn from them everyday. Thank you. I really want to participate in your pillow case dresses mission, so I hope you aren’t already over supplied with them. You are an amazing writer and mom!
I don’t know that I would agree that this is well said. I understand the point and all. Sports salaries? I have no idea how they even come up with the figures that they do. 30,000 children dying of preventable diseases? Horrible, but I wouldn’t say that we value animals more than people since your post only gave figures of the Endangered Animals Act. No figures were given as to money being funneled into other countries for aid. On the surface, your position seems spot on, but you are lacking in a lot of information. What’s the other side? This blue Democrat would love to know.
Thank you for pointing this out. I did forget to include a very important piece of data-which I’ve amended. The budget in 2009 for the Endangered Animal Act is $146 billion, while the budget for Foreign Aid to countries in need is $46 billion over the next 10 years. A substantial amount, yes, but definitely unbalanced.
I’m on the side of Bailey’s Leaf. For some reason, it tugs my heart far more when I see innocent animals (think the sad ASPCA commercial) hurting or when a puppy mill is raided than others. This is probably related to my adopted older cat and how much I adore her.
Amen.
What would you say? I don’t know. We need to pray for our country. We are a lost nation…amongst many others. God help us. Amen.
We are all guilty. I spent more money yesterday on flowers for my garden than I give to charity. When the problems in other parts of the world are so vast, it seems inconsequential that I buy flowers. But it isn’t. I don’t understand poverty, how it starts, why it is permitted, what our responsibility is to overcome it. I don’t know how we will be judged in the end with such selfish riches that will become ash. We are all equal in God’s eyes, yet despite good intentions, we don’t really believe that. I think we subconsciously believe we deserve the things we have and they deserve the nothing they have for reasons that go beyond this generation. Sins of our fathers and all that kind of stuff.
My heart breaks for children that have nothing, but yet I am guilty of preferring to spend my money on myself and my family, my children. Is it wrong? That is for God to decide in the end. I follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and when directed to give, I give. This seems to be happening more frequently and one day I may be the one who goes home and sells all possessions to follow Him.
We need to pray for our hearts to soften, to listen for the prompting of the Holy Spirit and then to act on it. That is my prayer and slowly things are changing in our life, but I will not overstep the guiding of God. I will not be the one who shines with good works for the world to see.
There are no answers, there is only prayer.
Hi Debbie, I am arriving late to this conversation, but I just wanted to comment on what you’ve shared. I don’t think we need to wait for the Holy Spirit to lead us to give. In Scripture over and over again, we are commanded to remember the poor. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
I think it is good that so many of us are being convicted about spending so much on ourselves when so many others have so little — that is conviction from the Holy Spirit that should spur us on to love and good works. Mother Theresa said “If you can’t feed a hundred, feed one.”
I believe we, the Church, are the answer to the world’s poverty. Even just the American church has the wealth to entirely eliminate destitute poverty. $65 billion could eliminate the most extreme poverty on the planet for more than a billion people. $9 billion could bring clean water to most of the world’s poor. $13 billion could provide basic health and nutrition for everyone in the world. If every American churchgoer tithed, the Church would have an additional $168 billion to alleviate world poverty.
The Church *could* literally change the world and bring an end to world poverty. The question is :: will we?
(email if you’d like the source list for those statistics.)
Your children have wonderful hearts! It is a sad revelation, they have abortions happening about a mile from my house now and I heard a saying recently that just brought it all to quick reality, save a tree, kill a baby. It breaks my heart that people are so distracted with Eco-friendly behaviors that they so diminish the importance of human life and supporting it! I have been saying for years that the sports thing is a disgrace, there are so many more qualified positions to receive the millions that are poured onto society’s “role-models”, when often those men become horrible role-models the longer they play (ex: Tiger Woods, etc) there are many to name but not necessary.
You are spot on, girl! It makes me sick to see people who don’t know how to do anything but hit a ball or say something somebody else wrote get paid a zillion dollars which they quickly take overseas to save the whales or something. They rarely spend that money…that was ‘made’ from Americans…ON America. And then people like policemen and others that work hard and save lives struggle to make ends meet sometimes. Yes, we live in a screwed up world.
But I agree with some of the others in that the problems seem so big when our own resources are so small in comparison and it’s hard to know where to start.
Amen!
We use Sonlight and read Window on the World this year. I love how it covers so many people groups and gives specific things to pray for. We read about Haiti the day before the earthquake. It made a huge impact on my 8 yo (and me) to know we prayed for the Haitian people right before their world was rocked by that earthquake. It also gave us ways to pray for them during the aftermath. Have you read the sayings or proverbs of the Haitians in that section?
Thanks for sharing this with everyone. Just think what could be accomplished if they all the athletes who are paid so much gave just 10% , no 5%, of their earnings to help the needy…
Forgive my faulty editing. Scratch they before all.
Great post! We love Window and read it this past year, very eye opening. You’re right on here, sadly enough.
This post is ridiculous. There is nothing wrong with valuing animals.
Obviously you didn’t read the post.
I felt pretty sick in my heart as my husband watched the NBA Finals Game 4 last night. All the fanfare, pomp, and circumstance…for what? A game that will make absolutely no impact on the kingdom of God…other than to distract His followers for a few hours.
Amy, I agree that there is nothing wrong with valuing animals. I watched a video of the brown pelicans being cleaned this morning, and it broke my heart. But I’ve gotta be honest: there is something very, very wrong with valuing animals more than humans. I care *MUCH* more about the starving child in Rwanda, and that’s why more of my money, empathy, time, and affection goes to the children and their families.
Kristen, don’t be discouraged. You are not alone.
Amy, you’re right. There is nothing wrong with valuing animals. The point was valuing them over human beings. Animals definately have a place on God’s creation called Earth. They are here for us to USE and ENJOY, not for man to serve them.
Kristin, your kids are great!
I agree with this to some extent. But we do have to care about the plants and animals and the earth in order to sustain human life in the future. But I do think it’s taken to an extreme at times.
I know you care deeply about the children in Africa, and I just assume you also care about children here in the U.S. There are so many charities to help kids in other countries, yet we have so few supporting those kids in poverty here. I’m not a big supporter of welfare – I think it can be necessary at times but part of the program needs to involve educating families how to care for themselves, similar to what charities in third-world countries do. Those charities don’t just walk in and hand over food and then walk away. They are helping the people learn to sustain themselves – growing their own food and skills to support themselves with.
Also I often wonder why our country can spend so much helping other countries but our country is so deeply in debt. We’re also having to cut education spending, increasing class sizes, cutting teaching positions. I am anti-debt. I’m also pro-taking care of my family’s basic needs (and paying tithing) before helping others. You constantly mention how you’ve found it easier to be charitable this year but I don’t think you would give the kids in Africa support if your kids were going hungry because you couldn’t put food on the table (I’m talking essentials). I think sometimes our country does that – gives to others before taking care of our own. And when you are taking care of your basic needs and working hard, it’s amazing how much you can then give (like your example).
Hi Eden ,
I completely understand what you’re saying; I’ve often considered the same thing. However, this topic makes me think of the quote by Alexis de Toqueville- “America is great because she is good. When America ceases to be good, she ceases to be great.” (Or something like that…I may have paraphrased).
To me, this quote means that America has a responsibility to other countries in need. Part of what makes America the greatest country in the world (in my oh so humble opinion
is that many are driven to put others before themselves. Our history is chock full of instances where we put aside the needs of our own and went to the aid of others. Our “goodness” towards other countries is what makes America so special, unique, and great.
To Kristen’s point, I think there is a sort of “Circle of Life” aspect to the people vs. animals argument. Both are important. Humans are directly tied to the land and the animals. I agree that it is devastating to learn how many people are suffering and dying from 100% preventable and treatable diseases and something must be done about this, but many of the people in need are also suffering because of land and resource lots. Funds need to be designated for both of these areas; I’m not sure that one can be put above another.
Woops… I meant to say “….suffering because of land and resource LOSS.”
Your little girl looks J U S T like you!
Kristen, I hear you. I love animals – and the news coverage of oil-covered birds and commercials about neglected puppies move me to tears in an instant. BUT. You are absolutely right in that PEOPLE in need should compel us to act more and faster than animals in need.
I currently work for a company that is a big proponent of two animal conservation organizations. And I get SOOOO frustrated when they brag about our “charity” work, even though I know they refuse to divert any of that budget toward humanitarian efforts. I actually had to post something on the company blog about it, and it just about made me sick. I’m just not sure how saving ducks (so we can hunt more ducks – seriously? how does THAT make sense?) is more important than building houses for the underprivileged people in our own community (which is what my manager and I wanted to do with just a portion of our budget).
Okay. Personal rant over. But I hear you.
I was a little disappointed with this post. I understand the intent, that human life should be valued above all, but showing compassion toward all living things is also an important lesson that I hope your children are not missing. As Loretta pointed out, more eloquently than I — It isn’t either/or but it should be both/and. These issues are NOT strictly independent of each other.
I understand that when you find a cause to champion, especially such an important, worthwhile cause, you can tend to have tunnel-vision, and that is great: It makes you focused and determined. But to start questioning personal missions of others seems a little off-kilter to me. There are so, so many people out there that do nothing to help anyone but themselves. I think your thoughts would be better spent on how to reach those people, not environmentalists.
I think you may need some further lessons on the root causes of the problems in Africa, including deforestation, lack of renewable resources and biodiversity and you will realize how interconnected these issues really are.
Hi Lauren,
Interesting comment. I’m not trying to devalue the mission of others. I love the earth God created and I certainly don’t want it to be destroyed. I’m an animal lover too. I just personally find it sad we often hear more about the environment, endangered species of plants and animals and the ozone then the starving children on the other side of the world. I’m sharing my opinion. I’m not saying I’m 100% right…just trying to work out how I feel about these things.
And I’m sure I could use some lessons on the root problems in Africa. I hadn’t thought about it that way.
Kristen,
I appreciate that you stick up for what you believe in and I agree that starving children in the world is just inexcuseable. I hope my comment didn’t sound too negative, I just wanted to mention that I thought every one of the issues was important. Upon re-reading my original comment, I didn’t mean that I was disappointed with the post, I was disappointed that you felt that way and I just wanted to offer perhaps another way of looking at things.
I also want to say thank you for highlighting this particular cause, and many others, on your blog and highlighting the tremendous need of these people. You are a special woman.
I also appreciate your reading and responding to your comments in such a wonderful way.
Thanks, Lauren. I don’t claim to be right on all this stuff, I’m just sorting out my feelings for the world to view. I appreciate the way you’ve respectfully challenged my thoughts. Blessings to you.
For some reason i don’t care about sports salaries. It is an easy target. Their salaries are a result of an open economy. Many poor countries are a result of a closed economy. The bible clearly shows that some people will be rich. The problem i have is the way people spend and value that money. The bible is clear on how the rich should spend their wealth. There isn’t anything necessarily wrong with going to a ball game with your family. There is something wrong with never being content and always seeking more and more luxuries and leaving the poor out of your thoughts.
I like animals, but there is just something troubling about the amount of money and value we put into them. Americans spend 50 billion a year on their pets. I know people that pour their life into pet help and spend no time doing the same for people. That isn’t right and isn’t biblical.
Amen, sister. Great post.
I’m sad about this post. I agree that something needs to be done about our aid and human treatment in general. But, the Bible also says to be good stewards of the earth. Not a whole lot of point in taking care of all the people if our planet becomes unlivable.
In response to the last few comments, as well as this post overall, I have a few general thoughts.
First of all, I do not believe it is our contry’s responsibility to provide “foreign aid” in general. I realize that sounds harsh at first read, but Constitutionally, that is not a valid use of this country’s taxpayer-provided money. But (stay with me here) on the flip side of that, I FULLY believe that we as individuals (and especially as Christians) have an INDIVIDUAL responsibility to help those in need when we have something that can meet that need (food, clothing, money, etc.). That being said, I also do not support the federal gvmt. spending on the Endangered Animals Act either. There again, it should be an individual’s choice as to whether that is a cause that they choose to support.
I do agree that it seems foolish for professional atheltes and coaches to be paid so highly . . . regardless of what context we’re throwing that into. Professional sports is primarily an entertainment industry, and I don’t think it’s even logical for athletes, hollywood stars, etc. to be paid so much for merely entertaining our simple minds. But . . . they can be paid so well b/c we (Americans in general) obviously are supporting their industries financially and are making entertainment a high priority in our own lives (again, “we” being Americans in general).
Kristin, one thought that continues to come to mind when reading some of your posts is that I hope you are encouraging your children to have an understanding of real world problems (i.e., starving children around the world) in light of other real world problems (i.e., abortion, cycles of poverty and welfare in our own hometowns, etc.). There is obviously nothing wrong with wanting to help people in Africa or Haiti or any other poor country (and yes, I have visited more than 1 3rd world country for more than a week’s time . . . so I know what I’m talking about here), BUT as your children think it is foolish for Americans to be more concerned with “other species” than their own species . . . I would contend that it is almost more foolish or at least just as foolish (short-sighted maybe a better word) for them to develop a burden for helping starving African children or children around the world while being blind to the very real problems around them HERE.
I hope this comment does not sound harsh in any way, but I really felt led to comment here. I do believe that God through the Holy Spirit leads us each to be involved in other’s lives as He sees fit. And that will look different for everyone. If the Holy Spirit (vs. guilt or some other human emotion) has led you to reach out and help starving children in Africa, I think that’s wonderful! But you can’t expect Him to lead everyone else to do the exact same thing your family is doing. And, if I may say this without trying to be critical at all, my impression is that some of your blog posts (such as this one) speak more of giving others a guilt trip rather than merely sharing and rejoicing over what God has led YOU to do specifically.
I pray that we all remain humble to what God would have us do on a daily basis. Not out of guilt over spending money on flower for our garden while there are people starving around the world . . . but out of a desire to serve and help others when and where we can, and out of thankfulness for all that God has done for us.
Hi Amy,
Thank you for sharing your opinion, although I do not agree with it. I was simply sharing a profound statement my children made a dinner. Because afterall, this is my blog to write about what I choose. I’m writing about what God is doing in our lives and hoping it does open the hearts of others. As far as a guilt trip goes…all I can say is, if the shoe fits….That’s not my intention, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with calling a spade, a SPADE.
And as for my children, I do think your comment is harsh and unjustified. Perhaps you should read all my posts where I share about our family feeding the homeless in downtown Houston, collecting blankets for Hospice, clothes for the NICU and supporting our Russian friends who are in the welfare system.
Africa is fresh on our hearts because I went three months ago and it was life-changing for my entire family.
Kristin,
Just wanted to say that I do understand that this is your blog, and I do understand that the burden for Africa comes from your recent trip and your personal experience. I can completely identify with that as God has used my personal experiences and trips to shape the specific he’s given me. I haven’t followed your blog for as long as many other have, but I was able to read about/follow your trip. And it was a blessing to me!
I did not mean to imply (although as I re-read my first comment, I realize that it sounded like I was!
. . .) that this is the only thing your children were learning about. I was merely saying that I hoped it wasn’t. And like I said, I haven’t followed your blog long enough to hear about every other ministry you guys have been involved with. So, my genuine apologies for what came across as harsh but was not at all intended that way.
It is exciting to hear about your “journey”, and I know that God is using you and your family in many ways.
thank you, Amy. I’m glad that we can share our opinions, even when they are opposing and still be respectful. Blessings to you.
I’m afraid you’ve been missing the point of what Kristen has been sharing. She is sharing her PERSONAL journey and what she and her family are learning. Sometimes Kristen sees a fact or an event in her life or American’s lives in general that stand in such great contrast to the lives of those in other countries that she just hits her in the gut. And she shares that with us. Alot of those posts have convicted me. And, yes, sometimes I feel guilty too. As well I should. I spend far more time and money buying stuff for me and mine than I do reaching out to others like Jesus commands.
If you haven’t heard Kristen’s HEART in all of these posts, than you should find another blog to read, because she’s put it on display for everyone to read here.
Thank you, Alexia. This is all a great struggle for me and I’m trying to sort it all out. I have guilt. I buy things I don’t need. Changing the way you’ve always lived is hard.
Kristen,
You actually have a wonderful opportunity to point out to your children that our world is this way because of sin…because of sin, we worship the creature rather than the Creator…because of sin, we are upset because the economy won’t let us continue with our “lifesstyle” so we can have regular manicure, pedicures or whatever other “cures” we think we need…rather than actually doing without even a few basics, so that some can …hmmm…actually live…what a choice when we boil it down and strip it of the pathetic entitlement language we use…I deserve…etc
But God demonstates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us…But God…But for God opening the eyes of people to see the hypocrisy…and for the called to actually DO the work Christ has called them to do…
You have been given a wonderful opportunity to be the hands, mouth and feet of Christ…walk and talk and do on the behalf of these people to the glory of Christ.
C~
I am really curious how people know that these athletes aren’t spending money to causes that we deem worthy? Doesn’t the bible say something about giving in secret? Maybe they are.
I am sending this one again, because for some reason it didn’t post. Thank God for the back button and that my computer retained it!
It all comes down to choices. So many people, myself included, spend time pointing fingers outwards, when it should actually be pointed inwards. The people that make the choice to spend more on endangered animals than starving people? I elected them. The coach that gets paid extravagant amounts of money to coach teams? I support them by watching them on tv, buying the products that they represent and cheering their team on. (and that is a very general I, because I don’t actually watch sports!) So it comes down to a choice. Who am I going to elect to decide where taxpayer dollars go? What products am I going to buy? What am I going to watch on tv? If I am the coach, how am I using that money that I am paid? Am I buying a bigger, better house, or am I supporting a hundred kids in a 3rd world country?
I have a huge heart for 3rd world countries, but I also enjoy the beauty that some of those tax dollars protect. So it comes down to ME. What am I going to do?
Kristen- (mostly a lurker) but wanted to tell you that I agree. With you AND your kids. It’s humbling to hear those things from kids that we as adults seem to be so numb to.
Blessings to you!
Wow…I don’t often read through all the comments because there are usually more than 30 when I get to a post. I am especially irked when I get to #29, but SO appreciate your thoughts #30. I think Carrie #31 has hit the nail on the head.
I do see that Africa is just another branch in the ways you and your family reach out. I loved your husband’s recent post that you linked. I love that your heart is open to God and vulnerable enough to share with us. Thanks for the encouragement to keep sharing with our families about the NEED for God in our world.
It never ceases to amaze me how easily people find it to leave mean or critical comments on someone else’s blog. If you don’t like what you are reading, click away. There’s no need to be hateful or ugly.
I applaud you for writing what you feel led to and raising your children in the way you believe to be right. I absolutely believe the Holy Spirit gives certain people certain burdens, often from our experiences, to pray for and minister to. Africa is very obviously one He has given to you and your family. And I pray that He would continue to use you all to help many, many lost people there. You should never have to apologize for your passion to pray and minister. We live in a fallen world that is very broken. If the vast devastation in the world and the sin that caused it doesn’t break someone’s heart, then perhaps we should pray that God would soften that individual’s heart.
I agree that it’s absolutely tragic and immoral that human beings don’t do more to help other human beings. But I also believe as some others have said that God wants us to care for the Earth and His creation – all of it, not just people. And, I believe that He leads some of us to save animals or environments as their mission and others to save people.
It’s a very complicated issue, and I try not to look at it by comparing the numbers. I’m struggling right now with money I’m donating. The public schools in my town are facing drastic cuts, which mean that my son will have more kids in his classes, less attention from his teachers, fewer sessions of PE and art and music, etc. The parents have organized a huge fund raising campaign to help with some of those cuts, and I’ve given to that because I want my son to have a positive, productive education. But I also think about what that money could mean to a family in a developing country. Maybe to a family whose children can’t attend school at all! Or who don’t have enough to eat, or access to medicine. What is the moral thing to do there? I pray about it, and I try to do both – I do as much as I can and then God pushes me to do a little more. But I think we shouldn’t judge and compare. We’re all trying to help in whatever way God has led us, and that’s a beautiful thing. Of course we need to do more, much more and to get more people helping other people and animals and the Earth. But I think we should look at everything as part of God’s creation instead of saying that people care about one thing over another.
Thank you for a thought-provoking post!
You have great passion and compassion for the hurting. It’s commendable! And you do a great job of bringing awareness and teaching your kids. You challenge me to do the same! What comes to mind in reading these posts is Matt. 14:14 “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Whether it’s the sick and hurting in a 3rd world country or the sick, spoiled and hurting in America, we need to have compassion for them, pray for them, and do what you do, Kristen, bring awareness, and make a difference. But I believe like Jesus “compassion” is the key. Oh to fathom is deep endless love and compassion for all mankind throughout all generations, spoiled, hurting, rebellions, sick, etc. I Corinthians 13 also comes to mind…”If I do not have love, I am nothing…” Y’all have challenged me today!
I didn’t read all of the comments, as I just don’t have time. I guess the one thing I would want to affirm is your passion. I grew up in a third world country, and it blesses me to know that there are individuals with a large world view out there. We are teaching our children about the vastness, and need, of our world too. It is a value to us.
I also want to affirm those who are passionate about the environment and animals. If we were all passionate about the same cause, there would be so many things left neglected. While I personally have strong convictions when it comes to they way our society prioritizes such things, I can’t criticize the passion behind the effort.
Someone mentioned the cause for Christ. Really and truly, pointing others to Christ should be the one cause we all share. Above all else, Jesus Christ should be my standard.
Keep up the good work with your little ones.
I’ve read through most of the comments and they are quite lengthy – so I’ll make mine short and sweet…
I agree with you 100% – thank you for posting this and for your unfailing work to bring awareness toward issues just like this! You are a blessing!!!! : )
Amen to that. Thought the same thing so many times. I live in AZ, and it is against the law to destroy a cactus or take a bald eagle’s egg. (Last time I heard, these were laws anyway.) While I don’t think we should mindlessly do either of those things, it is appalling when a mother can legally end the life of her unborn baby. Hmmm, let’s see. . . cactus, eagle egg or unborn human?? Seriously, this world is screwed up. By the way, I am reading Do Hard Things after I saw it on your website. LOVE it!!!! I didn’t even realize at first that I have some of this family’s home school stuff!!
God Bless You Kristen for doing hard things!!!!!!! And encouraging us to do the same.
I agree with you Miss Kristen, we live in a VERY messed up world. Compassion International has a website for sponsors called OurCompassion and I found this quote on there:
“Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering and injustice when He could do something about it.” ~ “Well, why don’t you ask Him?” ~ “Because I’m afraid He will ask me the same thing.” ~ Anonymous.
I thought it made a very good point. I agree with you that this earth is important but if we start worshiping the created instead of the Creator there is something terribly wrong. Jesus said to take care of the poor and the widows, but I can’t recall anywhere in The Bible where he said to “save the trees”. We should take of the earth but lets compare a human in need of Jesus verses a tree that is about to be cut down. Anyway very good post You have raised your very well Miss Kristen
What would I say? First of all, I’d say both are important. Taking care of PEOPLE, however, should be our FIRST priority. We do need to be good stewards of the Earth which God created for us to inhabit, but I’d also remind “them” that He never said it would last forever. In fact, He told us just the opposite. I do not know when this great Earth will pass away, BUT we do need to remember that it will NOT last forever and we need to make sure that the people living here on Earth now — at home and abroad — are taken care of first and foremost while we are here. To me, that means that not only do we feed and clothe them physically…but we need to feed them with the Truth and clothe them in Righteousness, for His Name’s sake. So that when the NEW Heaven and New Earth are created, as many of these can be there with us. Good post, Kristen.
‘Read on your fan page on FB about people claiming you were guilting them. Whatever someone wants to call it, so be it. Keep on keepin’ on!! Yes, this is YOUR personal mission but people can apply YOUR struggles to THEIR struggles in THEIR personal mission. You are showing us HUMANITY, not AFRICA (ok well you are showing us THAT too but mostly? Humanity).
Excellent post Kristen, the same thing runs through my mind every time TV ads come on for various causes. Not to say that saving abused animals or the rainforest is wrong or a poor use of money; but you’re right, there’s something sickening when people value abused animals over dying children.
It was great to meet you this week, sorry to have missed saying goodbye. I hope all is well and the Lord leads you and your family into the future =D
Oh Sister, it’s so true! It’s amazing that your children observe this at their age. Thanks for posting. Thanks for being willing to be “controversial”.
Thank you for the amazing post Kristen! We have an abundance here and in America and we spend frivolously every day. Throwing our money out the window on things we don’t need. If we could redirect these funds and use them to support organizations that help children around the globe, what a better place this world would be.
I think that it is important to be a good steward of all God’s gifts, but children and people, being created in God’s image, have a particular priority over other creatures.
It is encouraging to me to read your posts – I finished Radical over Memorial Day weekend and it WAS amazing. I plan to blog about it after it “sets” a little.
But I do know this. When I stand before Christ at the judgement, he’s NOT going to say “Man, I wish you would have kept more for yourself” or “You spent too much time praying for and trying to help babies without food, and not enough saving the whale.”
Those who truly know your heart will not stand in judgment, they will stand with you, inspired and changed for the better. Those who do not know your heart will still have seen a glimpse of Christ in it, whether or not they recognize it… and in that, there is a seed of hope the size of a mustard seed. That’s all God needs to move the mountains suffocating hearts in this world.
Keep leading while you follow the dust from His feet…
I appreciate your passion for those suffering and can also see how your concerns about Congressional spending relate to your argument, but the statement about professional athletes seems like an illogical after thought. What would you have the athletes do – refuse to be selected for an elite job that has a lucrative salary? Would you have sports franchises reduce salaries and give the money away? Would you blog for free so your check could aid others or so your employer (ad networks) could give more away? I can say that I would not. There are other lucrative career fields – why not question those as well?
I agree that the world’s priorities are not the Lord’s, but don’t think I fully agree with your stance here.
Hi Melody,
You’re right. My statement about professional athletes is an illogical after thought. I’m not sure why I ended the post that way, except that it’s always been a pet peeve of mine.I don’t have a solution for it. Thanks for calling me on it.
Number of times in the bible God commands us to care for the poor and/or chastises us for exploiting them: over 300
Number of times in the bible God commands us to care for endangered species: {insert crickets chirping here}
What can we expect when our president is using our money to support killing babies?
Excuse me? Where do you get that information?
From what I see the president (elected by a majority of the country) is taking care of the people of this nation. And, um, did you miss the whole order that NO federal money will be used to pay for abortions? Which, by the way, is ALREADY LAW, but that he signed yet another piece of legislation to make sure that that law will be upheld?
Planned Parenthood receives federal money, so you are incorrect in saying that it is already a law that NO federal money will be used to pay for abortions.
I’ve been looking at numbers a lot lately. When my grandson was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and i started looking at pediatric cancer research funding. We spend more on animals than trying to find a cure. After seeing these kids fight for their lives, and many loosing the battle i am beyond furious where our money goes.
While I applaud you for this thought-provoking article, your numbers are not correct. 2009 federal discretionary spending was $1.21 trillion (madatory spending, which includes entitlements was $1.89 trillion). I did a little research because there was not way that the US spends over 10% of discretionary spending on endangered species. (Note that these numbers exclude appropriations.)
The actual FY09 spending for the endangered species act spending is $146 million. The article linked above shifted some zeros. http://www.fws.gov/budget/2009/2009%20GB/05.0%20ES%20Overview.pdf
I’m not sure where the $46 billion over ten years came. I couldn’t find it in the link, but I went to the proposed FY2011 fact sheet for the State Department. I added up the expenditures under the “Invest in Global Development to Save Lives . . . ” heading under the link below and came up with $15 billion for one year. Granted this is proposed, but I couldn’t find the FY2009 expenditures.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/factsheet_department_state/
Spending for PEPFAR (America’s initiative to combat the global HIV/AIDS epidemic), just one part of the US foreign aid was $6 billion in FY08, which when multipled by 10 is more than the quoted number. http://www.avert.org/pepfar.htm
I would be careful saying that we care more about animals than humans. The numbers quoted do not seem to support this. Spending on animals often protects their environment, which also helps people maintain clean water. As an example, water suppliers (e.g. NYC) often spend money buying land near their water source to protect it from development, which would increase pollutants. This allows for a safer drinking water source that requires much less chemicals before it is safe to drink. Environmental regulations, whether they lead to cleaner air, surface water, ground water, etc. lead to safer conditions for all people.
Thanks for saying what so many of us are thinking but don’t dare to say, so as to not be un-P.C.
Some additional comments about singling out spending for animals to prove that humans are less important. The world is seldom black or white. The fact remains that there is not enough money in the federal treasury to spend on all our important issues. There will always be another disease or issue that is important to someone or a group of someones. Budgeting is difficult. Do we spend a lot of money on a few things in an attempt to ‘solve’ the problem or do spread the money around? Are we willing to sacrifice ‘our’ cause to spend money on someone else’s cause?
A note about endangered species. Animals are often the ‘canary in the coal mine’. The history of the Bald Eagle and ddt demonstrates this. If we don’t protect the Eagle, do we continue to use ddt? How many more years of until the public questions the over-use of pesticides? When people start to die? Would that be too late?
Again, this is a great thought-provoking post. It should be a good opportunity to discuss why things one might think are unimportant are important to others.
Love your thought provoking words. He has given you such a gift.
There are so many manifestations of evil in our world, it’s overwhelming and makes me want to gather my chicks and hide in my home and my church. We need to be open to the Spirit to guide us to the ones He wants us to tackle. But speaking to the incongruence of thought in our culture, years ago I saw an Oprah show about road rage where a woman’s dog was pulled out of her car and killed by an angry driver. While sad for her experience, I felt sick to my stomach that possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars was being spent to bring us a story while at those very moments, babies were being pulled from their mother’s bodies and killed. Is it too painful for us to confront our own depravity? May God continue to convict me of my complacency and complicity. He is using you to do help us.
While people may argue with you that we don’t actually spend more on animals than people or that spending on animals is important (and in some ways it is. it’s not a wrong thing to do, but something to prioritize) I see your point is that your young children see a discrepancy and their observation should remind us to be uncomfortable and make sure we are trying to help instead of not being aware of problems
I had my own re-curring thought again today– it sickens me every time I hear how much a movie cost to make. Millions. Could that money not have been spent on feeding the hungry instead? I don’t go to many movies at the theater, but I may make a point to give it up altogether because I am sickened to support such an industry that spends so much money on mostly crappy entertainment. I wish I could spend those millions elsewhere, but I can at least spend my $8 elsewhere.
THANK YOU! I’m glad that you have the courage to post stuff like this. It upsets me about how much money our government spends to begin with. But, the main problem is, where the money goes. It has become evident that animals are more important than human life. A person kills an animal, they get in major trouble. A woman kills her unborn child, no big deal. It makes me sad that some people think more of a dog than an unborn child. Or, any human for that matter. There are people in need in our own country! Well, I will come down from my soap box now! Thanks again for the post! And, tell your kiddos they are very smart! GOD BLESS!!!!
I really enjoy your blog Kristen. I follow every blogging trip Compassion goes on. I love that you continue to share how this trip has changed you. Every blogging trip changes me in different ways and I’m at home behind my computer reading. We are working on drastically changing priorities in our home. Not easy, but it is encouraging to see others doing the same
God Bless!
I just wanted to give you a little encouragement. I came here from Missy’s website. This is a good post. Your children seem wise beyond their young years. Or maybe it’s “out of the mouth of babes….” Don’t let the minority voices in the comments get you discouraged. It seems like the majority of commenters agree with you. You are speaking truth. Thanks for writing what you did.
Hugs,
Melinda
Kristen – I’m sorry I’m late to the party, but your numbers are incorrect, due to the blog post you linked to being incorrect. The ESA annual budget is $146 MILLION, not billion, and the foreign aid appears to be $26 billion, so the amount the government is giving in foreign aid each year is roughly *18 times* the amount to save endangered species. It may not make everything better, but it does remove the support for your argument.
Also, please bear in mind that individuals give huge amounts to others…I’ve seen estimates that total donations by individuals contribute more to foreign aid than even our government, which is a step in the right direction.
Please see this link for the ESA numbers: http://www.fws.gov/budget/2009/2009%20GB/05.0%20ES%20Overview.pdf