To Whom Much Is Given

Some days, my heart aches for Kenya more than others.  After spending some time last night looking up some videos of Kenya and the slums, I woke up this morning with a strong sense that I live a very privileged life.  For the most part, I have moved past the guilt of this; it is an incredible blessing.  In Luke 12:48, it says to whom much is given, much will be expected.

I cannot live in ignorance - I believe I have a responsibility to use my resources and my sphere of influence to care for others.   Imani is a big part of that, but really I want all aspects of my life to reflect my desire to love, serve, and care for others, just as Jesus did throughout the New Testament and continues to do today.  

I write this to shed light into some of my thoughts and experiences this morning.  

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

I woke up to an alarm, got dressed, and went to "work out" in the fitness room at my apartment complex.  My life is so convenient  so sedentary, that I must make time to be active, to exercise.  I do this in an air-conditioned room on electronic equipment while watching the news on a flat screen TV.
After my cardio, I cool off in the pool.  We have huge tanks of water that we use for recreation - water that is likely cleaner than the water most people in the slums drink.  This water is in addition to the water we use to cook, to bathe, to drink, to water our plants, wash our cars, etc.
I head back to my apartment and look through a pile of clean clothes to decide what to wear.  I have so many clothes that I must make a choice.  I have so many clothes that I do not have enough hangers to hang it all in the closet when it is all clean.  I have so many clothes that I can put off doing laundry for several weeks at a time.
My car is dirty so on the way to the dentist, I take it through a drive-thru car wash.  I have a car.  I am a female and I have a driver's license and a car.  In less than 5 minutes without even getting out of my vehicle, I have a clean car.  I drive on paved-roads, so my car will stay relatively clean.  
I get my teeth cleaned at my biannual dentist appointment.  I have seen a dentist twice a year for the majority of my life.  I have dental benefits provided by my employer.  I not only have somewhere to go when something about my teeth is bothering me, but I receive preventative care (cleanings) every 6 months.  I have all my teeth.  
Feeling a bit hungry, I stop for a cup of coffee and muffin to go.  I can afford food.  I can choose where I would like to eat.  I can decide what I would like to eat.  I can spend $4 on a "snack".  There was no labor involved in obtaining this food.
I stop at the bank to deposit a check.  I have a bank account.  I have money to put into the bank account.  I could take out money from this account if I needed to.  If an unexpected cost came up, I would have the funds to cover it.
Next stop, get the oil changed on my car.  Again, I have a car that runs.  I can afford to take it in to get regular maintenance.  While I wait, I drink my coffee and send text messages on my cell phone. (substitute tea and this would be typical in Kenya as well - everyone seems to have cell phones, even in the slums).  I am in no hurry, as this is one of my days off.  Since I work a non-conventional schedule, I have an average of 4 "days off" every week.
I drive back to my apartment.  I have a home.  I have a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, electricity, running water, heating & AC (that I barely use, but I do have it).  I have space - my 2 bedroom apartment I share with my sister is probably the size of a dozen homes in the slum.  I have no fear of being evicted.

All this before noon.

That being said, I am in the richest 10% of people on the planet.  Today, I am counting my blessings.