Advent Ache

There has long been an ache in me for those in impoverished countries, but I have done my best to fight it. 
Those thoughts seem like they could lead to scary places, and I just feel more comfortable keeping that box shut.
I mean, if I open it, God might make me do something about it.He might ask me to give something.He might make me uncomfortable with what I have.He might ask me to given even more. He might ask me to give too much.He might ask for everything.
And everyone knows, I already have enough to do, and the things I have to do right now, I don’t even do them that well—God knows I require a heaping mound of grace each day, each week, to soothe myself after I have failed to love those around me, again.  I am spread thin already, just loving and serving the people in my own home, and doing church stuff, and managing our abundance.
I can’t handle another thing.Besides, I can’t fix it. I can’t really do anything substantial to ease the suffering of people thousands of miles away. 
photo from childrenwithnoone.orgSo what’s the point of looking beyond my home, or beyond  my country, and aching for the things that go on there? Can’t I just hide from the headlines, from the mission work, and keep on gasping my way through the work in front of me, just  doing what I do in my tiny corner of the world?
But, God said no. I am not allowed to hide, he said.I must pray.
And praying?That led to thinking. And reading. And learning.And I feel my heart getting achingly bigger.

Do you feel this ache?What do you do with it?
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Coming Soon: Tend to Me: Devotions for Mothersby Emily Cook
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