Compassion Family: Too Small to Ignore

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Too Small to Ignore - Chapter 1

NOT SOMEDAY....TODAY

I don't know about you, but I just love this glimpse into Wess Stafford's childhood. As the current president and CEO of Compassion International, I find it so remarkable that he grew up in a village with the very people he now serves.

I hang on to my knowledge of poverty and its effect on little children. After all, I was there. I watched as preventable diseases stole my childhood friends in the village, one by one, and it broke my heart. I travel back and forth these days between two worlds. I jokingly tell people that my job is pretty tough. On one side of this international bridge, my role is to minister to the poor, to "comfort the afflicted." And then I cross the bridge, coming back to the Western, more affluent world, where my role is to speak and write to "afflict the comfortable." To do that with the same love can be a challenge. ~from p. 30

As I read chapter 1, I was struck again by how this book is about so much more than Compassion International. This book is such a valuable resource for anyone who will ever come into contact with a child (basically everyone!).

The concept of doing life with our children really resonates with me as a parent. It takes a lot of effort to include them in our every day tasks, but doing so sends them a message of worth and importance now.

Inviting a child to participate actively in the real life of our homes beats and hour of isolated make-believe in the most lavish toy room. Allowing children into the mainstream of our lives lets them learn and understand their worth, not someday, but today. The most precious thing we can give our children as parents is warm, positive memories. More important than making cookies, getting the shopping done, or cleaning the house is what happens along the way. Childhood happens! ~from pgs. 32-33

I pray that as we read this book, our hearts would be changed and we would say as Jesus said...."let the little children come to me" ~ Matthew 19:14

I'll close with the same words Wess closed chapter 1 with....

"They (children) are precious, deserving of our time, attention and serious commitment ~ not someday, but today."

What was significant to you about chapter 1?

Comments (9)

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Nicole · 713 weeks ago

I couldn't agree with you more...I feel that as a mom some of the best times I have had with my children was when the 'process' was more important than the 'outcome'. And then remembering that when I am dealing with my children I am dealing with Jesus.... We'd has a way of making a point!

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fiddlejill 88p · 713 weeks ago

It's just so hard to remember that in the moment. Often I am so focused on the outcome!

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Jim · 713 weeks ago

And I agree as well. We in the Western culture really have no concept of how to integrate our children into our everyday lives; aside from "playing" adult-world games as Wess alludes to. I really like how he states: "Allowing children into the mainstream of our lives lets them learn and understand their worth, not someday, but today." Again, I take this as a challenge in my daily life to make sure that my own children (and those I come in contact with) are valued NOW, not just someday! By the way, thanks for doing this blog Jill......very cool!!

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fiddlejill 88p · 713 weeks ago

With a 4 and 6 year old at home with me, I'm finding MANY opportunities to try to include them in my life. This is at least the 4th time I've read this book, yet this discussion has me applying what I'm reading in a whole new way.

This blog is God's work....His prompting and my acting on it. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

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Nicole · 713 weeks ago

This is a book I feel I should read often because it does remind me of just how important my children are to God. And they are growing so fast..too fast. I have fallen into that 'someday' trap and have missed some good opportunities. I am enjoying reading everyone's thoughts and ideas!

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Corina · 713 weeks ago

The first two sentences grabbed me: "Childhood - we only get one pass at it, and yet it dictates the quality of the rest of our lives. What we think, feel, experience, and endure in this earliest phase is the single most important indicator of what the rst of life is going to be like." Wow - so true! And I loved reading about his childhood experiences!!

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fiddlejill 88p · 713 weeks ago

Yes - only one chance - and as parents we have the power to control, nurture, develop, etc. the environment in which our children will experience childhood.

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Michelle · 713 weeks ago

"The babies spent the rest of the day at their mother's feet or lovingly strapped on her back. They felt every laugh, heard every conversation, saw every tear drop, smelled every flower, and watched from a safe distance every pot of cooking rice. They swayed with the movement of their mothers as they worked the fields, and in the evening they swayed again in perfect unison as Mom danced around the campfire."

THAT is pure poetry!!!! What evocative imagery!!! Prior to reading this book, and this paragraph in particular.......... I always felt SO SORRY for the babies who had to be carted into the fields and spent all their time trapped by a piece of fabric upon the (aching, I was sure!) back of the mothers...... Wes sure banishes that notion!!! Those babes are L~U~C~K~Y. :o)

This chapter made me feel rather sad. I wish I had read this book when my son was a little boy......... I would like to think I'd have done things differently after pondering The Wisdom Of Wes. I've always been a bit of a perfectionist. I don't "enjoy" chores or work. I find I have a totally different perspective than the African villagers Wes encountered..... I just want to do "it" and get DONE!!! As fast as possible, so having a little boy "helping" was not something I looked forward to or encouraged.

Looking back, I see how much I missed. And how much my son Zach missed out on. Although, I guess I DO have my moments sometimes....... We made No Bake Cookies last night and did a bang up job of them. And we worked on a home project today that started out with me being cranky (because my husband refused to do it!) and out of sorts. But by the time we were partially into the project we were laughing and .......... while not exactly enjoying the work.......... we were enjoying each other. And have I mentioned that he is 18 years old? A T~E~E~N~A~G~E~R! We both acted like 10 year olds today. And it was good. :o)

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fiddlejill 88p · 713 weeks ago

See? It's not too late!!

Several years ago, I did a Compassion Sunday presentation in Vermont at the church we were going to. Prompted by this book, we closed down all child ministries that day and let the children do church with us....it was fantastic!

I'm like you when it comes to getting things done and having "helpers". This book is a powerful reminder of nurturing our children and experiencing life together. The next chapter dives into this concept even more.

Thanks for your input....I'm so glad to have others to discuss this with!

Compassion Family

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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Too Small to Ignore - Chapter 1

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