Proof – I Hope I Have Some
It seems like everyone wants proof to support their opinion. People scurrying through the Internet to find a blip, no matter the source, just as long as it supports their opinion. And then blast anyone who disagrees.
Does your life support your opinions all the time? How about last week? Or last month? Or a year ago? How about 15 years ago?
I hope if people look through my Facebook they see the proof.
One thing you will not see is my interaction with other people. One story I hold dear to my heart happened 8 years ago when I traveled to Italy by myself. I was exploring Venice by myself and got on a tour of various islands. On the first stop a woman from Singapore approached me, “Excuse are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“I am too. Do you mind if I do this with you?”
“Sure.”
As many people know, I am an introvert. I would never approach anyone I didn’t know and start up a conversation, let alone ask to spend the next 4 hours with.
So we explored the islands. We talked. We shared. She laughed and told me she though I was from France by the way I looked. I laughed and just said, nope, I’m an American. (I still think it’s hilarious that I look French. Who knew?)
At the end of the tour we parted ways. Never thinking we would see each another again.
Only to find out we were both going to the same museum next. We didn’t realize that until 30 minutes later when I bumped into her again. We laughed and decided to then have lunch at a nearby hole in the wall. We split bread and sparkling water, which I still think is disgusting and asked her if she thought it tasted right.
Taste like water to me, she said.
That’s not water. I laughed and asked for a coke from the waiter. An overpriced coke.
After lunch we spent the afternoon touring the city and had supper.
As we were eating she said, “You have changed my opinion of Americans.”
I said, “How?”
“You’re nice. The Americans I meet are rude.”
I nodded my head and apologized and said, “We are not all like that.”
We are still Facebook friends.
But as I look around the world, I cannot help but think, what does the world think about us right now? Screaming at one another. We are being rude just like she thought all Americans are.
But not all Americans are like that. The majority are not rude. The majority would bend over backwards to help their neighbor, no matter their identity.
I have spent my life trying to help the less fortunate and I have the tax returns to show with donations through the years supporting various organizations to help others.
IJM – International Justice Mission – an organization to fight human trafficking and slavery. Statistically there are more people in slavery now, than ever before.
World Vision – an organization that helps in medical, hunger, spreading the love of a Christ. Over 26,000 people die a day from curable causes. Curable. But we don’t see that headline everyday.
Uncharted International – a local organization to spread the love of Christ in untapped regions of Asia and Europe through orphanages, schools/education and other significant impacts.
Compassion International – an organization that allows you to sponsor a kid in an underdeveloped country so they can get an education and get the daily needs in order to help support their family.
YoungLife – a global organization to reach the unreached students and lead them to Christ.
And of course the Church. Giving to their missions to help those meet the God I love and know.
And other organizations, but these are the ones that have been close to my heart through the years. We are called to give generously. That means more than 10%. 10% should be the minimum we give. The minimum.
You may say, “I don’t have the funds to give.”
Then sacrifice something and give that money you sacrificed. I do without somethings so I can give.
I’m not here to boast, but just to show you that an active life with Christ, is proof.
So if you want proof. I hope my life gives you that.
A quote that stings my heart is from Gandhi, “If it weren’t for Christians, I’d be a Christian.”
That line cuts so deep that he praised the words of Christ, but couldn’t see a true Christian anywhere.
So, no matter how hard I try to prove, I guess I’m also a failure. But that only gives me more passion to write books to shows a Christian can write an entertaining story, a book to encourage readers to chase their dreams, blog posts to stir the coals in ones hearts and tweets to engage is a dialogue.
I’m not perfect. But I’m trying to follow the one who was.
Peace and love. Always
