Thankful

After attending a cross-cultural communication conference yesterday, and watching “The Magic Washing Machine” video in class four times today, I am increasingly thankful for and praying for some specific things:

• Thankful for:The utter, complete, internal confidence that I belong to God.  No matter where I am in the world, or whether I’m one of a very small minority in a group, I am His.  This world is not my home; I am a stranger here.  And yet, God has given me a peace in Him so deep and true that I have never been concerned about being in a minority.
• Praying for: The many, many people in this world who struggle daily with feelings surrounding the fact that they are in a minority.  That the enemy would not be allowed to whisper lies in their ears about their worth.  They, too, are worth the most precious blood of Jesus. 
• Thankful for: My washing machine, education, and all the time I have in a day to do things that are not essential to life.  For being able to afford a $2 salad for lunch instead of those $2 being my entire household’s daily allowance.  
• Praying for:The two billion people that live on under $2 per day, that they may have enough food to eat and clean water to drink.  For the two billion people that live on less than $20 per day, that they may find good jobs, get washing machines, and be able to go to school.  For the two billion that live on $40 per day, that their work may be fruitful and their homes safe and warm.  For the one billion that live on $80 per day or more, that we may be thankful for the abundant blessings that we have been given, and be good stewards of our resources.  That our hearts may be broken open for the poorest four billion people in the world and that we may give generously of our resources in ways that can really help eliminate poverty.

"Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more."
~Luke 12:48