It’s December 13, 2008. Twelve days from now it will be December 25th. I know, I know, you’re impressed with my math skills. For some of you (me included), it will mean Christmas. For others, it will be just another day—no different than the day before, no different than the day afterward. For half of the world, the goal will be to just survive. Will there be enough food? Will there be enough water? Where will I sleep tonight? These are the questions half of the people on this planet will ask themselves. They won’t be opening i-phones, playing video games, or trying on a new pair of shoes. No gifts, just now. It’s always just now. The future isn’t something you plan for when you are just trying to survive.
If you are reading this, consider yourself lucky. You were born with a legacy of advantages and opportunities others would die for—are dying for. Opportunities aren’t evenly distributed in this world. Some of us get a basketful, some get one and some get none. But, opportunities are available. The trick is for those of us with the basketful to take only what we need and share the rest. I read recently that if you have enough money to feed yourself and your family, you have enough to help at least one other person. Half of us have more than enough; half of us don’t have enough. Let’s share our opportunities.
There are a lot of brave deserving souls out there who aren’t looking for a handout but are looking for a way out of poverty. Everyone deserves at the very least one opportunity. Give that to someone this Christmas. Be the spark that ignites the candle of hope for those whose light has gone out.
Be the light that guides the less fortunate back home. Next time you avoid eye contact with the homeless on the street or step over someone as if they weren’t there, remember but for the grace of God, there goes me. It is my Christmas wish that this December 25th will be a new beginning for those who have spent a lifetime just trying to survive.
-Fred
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