Heartbroken - I pray for you JAPAN

I had the opportunity to work for a Japanese owned company.  They are one of the world's largest producers of some of the best sesame oil in the world. We always had folks from Japan work in our office in the USA.  They are the most polite, respectful and soft spoken people I have ever met. They always said good morning with a bow.  And they always said your name with -san at the ending.  Remember the Karate Kid movie?  Daniel-san?  If you were ever stressed or under the weather at the office, they came around with freshly pressed hot green tea.  Whenever they traveled to Japan, they always came back bearing gifts.  Some were very unique and not always familiar to the American pallet, but the packages where always so beautiful.  The attention to detail and art is so exquisite in Japan.  They conserve their heritage, customs and folklore.  I don't think there is any culture that can rival Japan's in the way they respect the elderly.  In the USA we put ours away in homes most of the time.  I see pictures of rescue workers carrying the elderly on their backs with all the care in the world.

It is mind-boggling to see the pictures of towns totally wiped away.  Boats and cars on top of 3 story buildings.  A truck dangling on power lines.  Piles and piles of cars thrown around.

So many people are homeless. Yet they conserve a sense of dignity that comes through in the pictures.  They form lines and patiently wait for all to be attended by relief organizations that are on the ground now. I have seen on the news in other disaster areas where people fight, push and shove to get their supplies first.  Maybe it is just the initial shock and people are still walking around numb in Japan.

To this day I still stay in touch with my friend Masanori Suzuki. I call him Suzuki-san. When I heard of the earthquake I immediately thought of him and his wife and all of their families.  I thought about all the employees of the sesame oil company.  The only way I knew how to contact him was through Facebook.  And he responded.  They are all well. It was such a relief to know, thank God.  Fortunately they were on another part of the island, but he still felt all the shaking going on. But now we are worried about nuclear
fall-out.  To scary to even think about it.

I want to do something to help.  My commitment to give up something for Lent is going strong since last Wednesday.  And my promise to donate the money I would have spent on myself still stands.  What I haven't done was commit to a certain charity until now.  I know exactly which one, and a very reputable one at that.  The AMERICAN RED CROSS.  They can take the money and purchase what is needed the most.  I trust them with my donation.  Here is a link to their website. 

DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:

Donate to the American Red Cross for Japan. 

https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&5052.donation=form1&df_id=5052

GIVING IT UP VERSUS GIVING IT OUT

It is the day before Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday.  LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL as they say in New Orleans.  Then comes the beginning of Lent.  Ash Wednesday.  A solemn time for Christians around the world as we approach Good Friday.  It was a turbulent time in the days of Jesus Christ and it is a turbulent time now.  Wars then, wars now.  Poverty then, poverty now. Struggle then, struggle now.  Nothing seems to change.  A person can get very downtrodden.

I have recently fallen in LOVE with a song by Kirk Franklin.  Here are a few of the lyrics. The name of the song is:

I SMILE. 

I dedicate this song to recession,
depression and unemployment.
This song’s for you.

Today’s a new day, and there is no sunshine.
Nothing but clouds, and it’s dark in my heart
and it feels like a cold night.
Today’s a new day, where are my blue skies,
where is the love and the joy that you promised me
you tell me it’s alright.

(I’ll be honest with you)
I almost gave up, but a power that I can’t explain,
fell from heaven like a shower.

(When I think how much better I’m gonna be when this is over)
I smile, even though I’m hurt see I smile,
I know God is working so I smile,
Even though I’ve been here for a while
I smile, smile..
it’s so hard to look up when you look down.

Hate to see it when you give up now

You look so much better when you smile, so smile.

 

I didn't grow up with the tradition of giving up something for Lent.  I hear people give up chocolate or meat or their favorite coffee at Dunkin Donuts.  I understand the physical sacrifice behind this. But how does that improve life for someone else?  Are we giving up the meat so that someone else in need can eat it? Are we donating the chocolate to a children's home as a treat?  If we are going to give up on something, then I believe we should give it out.  My pastor, Kenny Hibbard, opened up his Sunday sermon quoting a book that says, 'Life is not all about you". 

For the first time it has been in my heart to give up something for Lent.  And I am going to SMILE.  I know what to do with the money I would have spent.  I am going to donate it.  This should be something between God and myself, but I also know that people get motivation from others sharing their heart and stories.

DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY IDEA:
Give up something and start giving it out to others.  A simple thing to do during this time of reflection as we prepare to celebrate the greatest gift of all.  Love Eternal from our Lord, Jesus Christ.