The Discarded

From My Perspective - - -

The current financial trends and woes in our nation is impacting all areas of life as well as most businesses. Everyone seems to be feeling the economic pressure. One such organization that has been in operation from its founding by Benjamin Franklin is the United States Postal Service. With the advent of Cell Phones, Email, Face-Book and Tweeting – the Postal Service is no longer as vital in our day. For Package delivery, both FedEx and UPS seem more reliable and dependable than the Postal Service. Much of what the Postal Service delivers is discarded – some of it unopened and/or read. The bulk of the mail delivered to our home is Advertisement or Solicitation. We are like most people who don’t even open what is received. It is viewed as junk and is thrown into the trash – discarded.

However, there are a few pieces of such mail that we do open and read. In the area of our residence, there are organizations that are genuinely caring for the homeless and hungry, and who do not consume contributions in top heavy administrative costs – they receive our attention, prayer, and if we are able – a contribution. Two of these organizations are Palmer Home for Children (Columbus, MS) and French Camp Academy (French Camp, MS). Both of these groups work with children from broken and/or parentless home situations and deplorable living conditions. A recent letter from French Camp Academy communicated the following: Of the children/students that they care for – “20% lived with someone other than their parents; 31% have no Mother involved in their lives; 52% have no Father involved in their lives; 15% have either a Mother or Father in prison; 12% have either a Mother or Father deceased.” An additional paragraph states: “Because of FCA, they are recovering. Healing is more than a Hope – it is a Reality. God is using you, me and many others to transform lives, restore relationships, build confidence and lay foundations for successful living.”

Are such places making a difference? Are they providing for children and young people ‘A Shelter In The Time of Storm’? Are you concerned about those who are alone, desperate, needy? There is a challenge and requirement given in James 1:26-27 (ESV), “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” The Message Paraphrase states: “Anyone who sets himself up as ‘religious’ by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.”Are you able to relate to the orphan and widow in their respective plight?

A young person at FCA shared: “My family lived in some very disgusting places. In one place, if I put my plate on the table, roaches quickly crawled all over the food. In another place, my room was in the attic with the mice. I would see them scurrying around, and when I could finally sleep they would feast on my borrowed books and school papers…I thank God for giving me a good home (FCA), where I am safe, loved, and growing in trust of Him…”

When the Lord issued His guidelines for Social Justice as His people were becoming a nation, it included these words in Exodus 22:22-24, “You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry…” Also Exodus 23:6, "You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his lawsuit.” What is your level of sensitivity toward the poor, oppressed, the huddled masses yearning to be free? Have you ever exercised compassion toward the needy, hungry, poor? If not, what is the reason and rationale that you deem to be valid before Almighty God? If God did toward you what you have done toward others – would you be well-cared for or struggling with needs and hunger and lack of necessities? Do you treat as Discarded those who have obvious and valid needs? When you express gratitude to God for His blessings, have you reached out to be a source of blessing in another’s life? Are you dispassionate toward those who are “discarded” or compassionate? Consider these things with me!