We CAN do BETTER

I don’t know about you, but it certainly feels like every day that the world we live in is just getting “worse.” I am not sure if that is an accurate description, “worse,” but every day seems to bring more negative news than the day before.

Now I can run through all of the usual “downers” such as war, famine, poverty and those would be enough. But honestly, every day is becoming some sort of “ugly day.” Now, I want to be clear, my viewpoint is that of America only. I have little idea of day to day in other countries as I do not watch the news much, its just full of sad, frustrating events!

I find it all very frustrating. I’ve been trying to get a grasp on just what has happened over the years and there are so many factors that I am not sure there is any one singular cause, but then I am not sure just how many factors really need to be determined. Maybe it all comes down to a “simple” but easily understandable phrase – “we can do better.”

America:

As of 2021 over 42 million people live below the poverty line. Or another way to view this is for a family of four living in the United States below the poverty line means that they have an income of no more than $72 a day. You know what things cost today, a family of four is not living all that well today.

There are over 563,000 people homeless, of which over 32,000 of those homeless are young adults! And over 12,000 are veterans!

Over 34 million people are “food insecure.” A nice way of way there are struggling to have food on their tables. Yes, we have a hunger issue in this country.

2020 saw over 640,000 offenses reported and over 538,000 violent crimes reported. Unfortunately, it is true that, statistically at least, the USA is far from the safest country in the world. If we take a look at the Global Peace Index of 2022, which measures peacefulness and general safety of 163 nations across the globe, the USA ranks 129^th! Cuba, China and France are safer than the USA, along with Germany, Canada and Poland.

We CAN do BETTER. We SHOULD do better. But it is my belief that in order to do and or become better that means we as Americans need to stop being so concerned with how to buy the next car or house or which sports team will win tonight. Stop being concerned about which Hollywood star or athlete is married, divorced, gay or straight. Basically, we need to pull our heads out of, umm – the sand, no really our butts and start paying attention to those around us and begin treating each other with care, love and respect. When meeting someone, the first concern should not be there skin color, nationality or if they are straight or not. It should be that of learning their name and having a friendly conversation.

I have stopped here and typed here and then deleted again and again. I know I ramble, but I think just at the simplest core of looking at the stats and our “realities” I believe you will agree – We CAN do BETTER. It takes each of us to step out of our comfort zones and begin doing something for others.

Thanks for stopping by the fire, Pastor Dennis