Ultimate Ice Bucket Challenge

My beloved niece nominated me to join the ranks of million others who have participated in the "Ice Bucket Challenge" -- supporting the quest for a cure to treat ALS patients, a most worthy cause. 

I accept the invitation . . .

to love
to pray
to donate
to empathize
to increase awareness

. . . and whatever else the Father of mercy and comfort leads me to do and endure for His higher purposes.

Sadly (for some, perhaps), no video of my drenched body is accompanying this post.
I apologize.

Allow me still to say I do not consider it beneath me to dump ice and icy water all over me nor do I deem the trend wasteful. Human beings long to matter and this activity has frayed a glimmer of hope through the dense fog of despairing apathy that plagues our species. And since ALS patients are all too often relegated to non-visibility, I am highly grateful that this popular challenge has stirred humans (at least in this corner of my world) to think more highly of others less fortunate than they are. It has also given people the opportunity to relate to ALS patients (even if it is for a few seconds) as they experience what it is like to feel trapped in one's own body/

To think compassionately of others is always a good thing in my book . . . in God's book:

"If [anyone] is hungry, give them food to eat; if they are thirsty, give them water to drink." -- Proverbs 25:21, NIV

My ALS brothers and sisters are in dire need . . .

. . . so are my Iraqi Christian brothers and sisters being injuriously treated by ISIS members.

. . . so are my unborn brothers and sisters being killed daily because of inconveniences and injustices inflicted upon women.

. . . so are my hastily and unjustly profiled African-American brothers who get shot long before their executors realize (if ever) their error.

. . . so are my other brothers and sisters -- neglected children, mocked parents, bullied teens, derided foreigners, gang-raped victims, battered wives, ostracized liberals, misjudged conservatives, betrayed colleagues, stage 4 cancer patients, clinically depressed friends, suicidal individuals, etc. -- who daily long to be known and loved.

. . . so are you who are dealing with difficulties that no one knows about.

. . . so am I whose grief has lingered for quite some time.

This long season of grief has done many productive things for my mind, spirit, and body. Chief among them is the reminder of the brevity of my time on earth and the urgency placed on said time to drink from the Source that can quench all thirst and to "do unto others" as I would like to be treated.

Well, I know I would like a cup of water when thirsty, a slice of bread when hungry, a hug when lonely, a shoulder upon which to lean and cry when grieving. Most of all, I know that given the choice between the whole world and Christ, I'd rather have Jesus because He is my true need.

May I do no less for those in need around me. May my eyes be opened to see and my spirit heartened to meet needs with the resources the Father has granted me. May I speak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves, walk twenty extra miles in the shoes of another, render visible those who are all too often unseen and unloved by the masses. May I not be dragged into the currents of complacency in doing nothing for my neighbors in whatever need they face. And above all, may I be used to point them to Christ -- the One who has accepted the ultimate "Ice Bucket Challenge" on the Cross to meet the true need of humanity!

"But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:3, NIV)

He is faithful.
His grace covers us.
He will lead you and me.