We are such a selfish nation. (Harsh, I know.) In general, humans tend to lean toward the mindset of looking out for only themselves and going through life in a way that will most benefit them. But America especially--it is so overwhelming to take a step back and realize just how self-absorbed and, even egotistical, we have become. We carry out our routines, glancing away whenever there is pain or suffering. We have convinced ourselves that, if we don't think about it, than it won't be there anymore. But that doesn't work, does it? In our own country, our own state, our own city...my own university campus--there is such a need for the love of Christ, and yet I look away. I don't really know how to express what I am feeling. But I write best in music form--here it is.
"Surely we are,
more quality than this,
truly we have,
a soul left to live,
the braces and beckonings,
the call to stand strong,
fall by the wayside,
our dust travels on,
where are the good fellows,
our stellar humane race,
so verbal of character,
yet lacking in grace,
survival of fittest,
overcomes the upright,
eyes on the floor,
out of mind,
out of sight,
we beat and we bellow,
perfecting our art,
so focused so inward,
never caring to part,
the selfish ambitions,
that carry us through,
meanwhile the world,
is waiting on you."
-Ansley
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Eat Your Pudding
“You’re alright. It’s okay. Shhh, you’re okay.” As I softly pat her back and her cries fade to whimpers and her tightly clenched sippy cup releases as she finally drifts to sleep. Calming down children is a quite a routine task where I work at a preschool facility. But for this two-year-old girl in particular it has been a strange and very trying day. Being thrust unexpectedly into a room full of completely unfamiliar faces, all curious to become acquainted. Everything is all right, but then her mom turns and walks out the door, oh the heartbreak. How could the one stable figure in her life leave so easily? Wait. No. Stop. Mommy, I don’t want you to leave. But on she walks to the car and pulls away. And now all of these strange people are trying to get her to eat pudding, play puzzles, and wash her hands? This is an unusual and scary place indeed. What right do they have to take away her mother and expect her to simply adapt and enjoy her day apart from the one she loves most?
Then comes nap time. Mommy is still no where to be found, despite this poor girl’s desperate pleas. A mat is placed on the floor, a diaper on her bottom, and now they seem to think that she will be able to lie down and sleep peacefully, amidst the dozen other toddlers cuddling their stuffed animals, even though her heart is wrenching and her mind is aching for the loving embrace and familiar scent of her family. At first the child tries to fight it, throwing fits and flailing her arms, refusing to lie down, but eventually exhaustion takes over and she gives in. Periodically her quiet sobs pierce the peaceful air and everyone is reminded of her grief. And then she is asleep. And we can only hope that her dreams are pleasant. This is the experience of preschool—brutal isn’t it? Doesn’t it seem that things would have been so much easier if this little girl had been able to enter the daycare building fully trusting the people that would be around her and have faith that her mother would return to take her home, no matter what? But that would be something ridiculous to expect from a two-year-old child not even understanding the concepts of trust and faith yet.
Do we as adults even understand? We try so hard. We fight, we flail, we do everything within our power to stand on our own. We are afraid of not being in control. We don’t have enough faith to believe that our Father has got us, and He will never let us go. We don’t trust that what He promises WILL be carried out to completion. When will we finally be able to lie down on our mat, let go of our sippy cup, and sleep peacefully KNOWING that Jesus Christ carries us in His arms, and there is no need for fret or fear? This dear little girl eventually was able to; and now she is able to come to school each day with a smile on her face. She walks confidently, secure in the fact that her mother will be returning, and there are so many fun and exciting things to do during the hours that her mother is away.
So let us wipe away the tears. Let us pick up our heads and face the world head on, knowing that God is with us and having faith in His ability to protect and comfort us. For someday He will be coming to pick us up from school, and at the moment when He arrives do we really want to have tear streaked faces, dirty hands, and uneaten pudding? Or do we want to be able to look up into His glorious light, feeling satisfied that we not only survived this life, but impacted it, and say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” and then enter into His presence for eternity.
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4-5
-Ansley
Then comes nap time. Mommy is still no where to be found, despite this poor girl’s desperate pleas. A mat is placed on the floor, a diaper on her bottom, and now they seem to think that she will be able to lie down and sleep peacefully, amidst the dozen other toddlers cuddling their stuffed animals, even though her heart is wrenching and her mind is aching for the loving embrace and familiar scent of her family. At first the child tries to fight it, throwing fits and flailing her arms, refusing to lie down, but eventually exhaustion takes over and she gives in. Periodically her quiet sobs pierce the peaceful air and everyone is reminded of her grief. And then she is asleep. And we can only hope that her dreams are pleasant. This is the experience of preschool—brutal isn’t it? Doesn’t it seem that things would have been so much easier if this little girl had been able to enter the daycare building fully trusting the people that would be around her and have faith that her mother would return to take her home, no matter what? But that would be something ridiculous to expect from a two-year-old child not even understanding the concepts of trust and faith yet.
Do we as adults even understand? We try so hard. We fight, we flail, we do everything within our power to stand on our own. We are afraid of not being in control. We don’t have enough faith to believe that our Father has got us, and He will never let us go. We don’t trust that what He promises WILL be carried out to completion. When will we finally be able to lie down on our mat, let go of our sippy cup, and sleep peacefully KNOWING that Jesus Christ carries us in His arms, and there is no need for fret or fear? This dear little girl eventually was able to; and now she is able to come to school each day with a smile on her face. She walks confidently, secure in the fact that her mother will be returning, and there are so many fun and exciting things to do during the hours that her mother is away.
So let us wipe away the tears. Let us pick up our heads and face the world head on, knowing that God is with us and having faith in His ability to protect and comfort us. For someday He will be coming to pick us up from school, and at the moment when He arrives do we really want to have tear streaked faces, dirty hands, and uneaten pudding? Or do we want to be able to look up into His glorious light, feeling satisfied that we not only survived this life, but impacted it, and say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” and then enter into His presence for eternity.
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4-5
-Ansley
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