I am a water snob.
I know it. I am not necessarily proud of it, just truthful. I grew up on well water with plenty of rust stains in the bathtub and the water from the hose did smell a bit like scrambled eggs. It was fine then – we all survived.
Now, I live in the city and really don’t like drinking chlorinated pool water or the idea that my 127-year-old house still has lead piping in parts. So, we have a pretty sophisticated water filtering system that is non-negotiable whenever we consider how to help meet the budget.
When we first bought our home, our kitchen had what I called a “fancy refrigerator” – one with drinking water accessibility on the outside. Without even having to open the door, I could lean my cup against the lever and cool, freshly filtered water poured to fill my cup. My kids could even serve themselves when they were thirsty! Whoa! I was enamored at this amazing new luxury I’d been given.
A couple of years and at least 2 kids later, life happened. Running to preschool drop-off, fitting in a grocery run before work, chasing the toddler before she got too far up the stairs… Time seemed to be speeding by with me hanging on, eyes closed and prayerful I’d make it until bedtime.
I remember one such harried-moment – going into the kitchen to grab a quick drink. I leaned my glass against that magical lever and the water started flowing – but NOT fast enough.
“Come on already! This water is so slow! I have to get going! Ahhhhhhhhh!”
I am embarrassed even now as I write those words.
Impatient. Self-centered. Ungrateful. I had clean, filtered, even COLD water and I wanted it faster. It wasn’t dirty or contaminated. It wouldn’t make me sick. I didn’t have to spend a good part of my day walking to get it, nor did I need to carry it back for my family to share. It was right there – a gift. And I couldn’t see it.
This is Naomi. She lives with her husband, Edward, and their three boys in Kisapuk. It’s way off the beaten path, near Namanga, at Kenya’s southern border with Tanzania. Depending on the day, she would wait for hours to get her turn filling her jerry cans at the well. Sometimes it took all day because she had to climb to the bottom of the spring and wait for the water to seep up from the ground. {Photo + content provided by World Vision}.
And this is what I decided to do about it.
Don’t feel guilty, feel grateful. The shame I felt that day turned into resolve – I would never again take for granted the clean water I had at my disposal. At that moment, I made a vow to instead, be grateful and to remember those who didn’t have those same options. Guilt is paralyzing – gratefulness is empowering. Recognize that you have been given this gift and let your grateful heart inspire you to make a change.
Use my “triggers” to turn complaints into gratefulness. Now, when I get water and feel impatience rising, I am reminded of my promise and I say out loud: “Thank you for this clean water, Lord. And please help those who don’t have access and those who are walking so far to find it.” Let your cold fingers and toes (especially in MN) remind you to be thankful for heat and a place to live. Let a meal that isn’t your favorite remind you how comforting it feels to have food in your belly. Let that endless pile of unfolded laundry remind you that you not only have items to clothe you, but you have choices of what to wear.
Find a way to help others share in that gratefulness. What good is a lesson learned if it doesn’t become a catalyst for real change and impact? This is where we get to live out our gratefulness and become people of action! In my opinion, giving should be a family thing – something everyone can catch the vision for and be involved in. Although there are many great charities, World Vision not only fits with my personal values, but also helps involve my children in the process. Take a look at the list below and consider what YOU can do to share with others and tangibly practice gratefulness.
- Sponsor a child through World Vision: For several years, we’ve sponsored a girl from Tanzania. We exchange pictures and letters, enjoy learning about her passions, dreams and personality, and feel like she is an extension of our family. It’s a little confusing for others when our kids talk about their teenage “sister” in Africa, but sponsoring her helps connect our family to the world.
FACT: Did you know that when you sponsor one child through World Vision, four more children in their community benefit from your gift as well? Children are provided with essentials like clean water, nutrition, and education – things that will not only affect their lives, but will better the lives of their families and communities.
2. Give a gift through World Vision: Every Christmas we give our kids each $25 in give-away money as part of their gifts. It’s become our favorite part of the day! We open stockings and then over breakfast discuss where they want to donate their portion. We give options, but the kids get the final word. The Gift Catalog makes it easy for them to visualize where their gift is going. In the past we’ve given fruit trees, chickens, emergency funds to families in need, welcome kits for babies, community water wells, and more. And it’s not just something for Christmas-time! One year, we gave a seed packet for a community garden to each of the grandparents for birthday gifts. They felt honored and we didn’t give them something that would just take up space in their homes!
FACT: Did you know that World Vision even has a list of gifts that will be not only matched but also multiplied when you give? Things like medicine, clothing, school supplies, child protection, and aiding countries with current hunger crises are included. Whatever your passion, there is a giving opportunity to match!
3. Participate in the World Vision 6K for Water: On May 4, 2019, my family and I will be participating in the World Vision Global 6K for Water. Would you consider joining me and others around the world to bring clean water to all? Your registration fee will provide one child with clean water for life! Every step you take is one they don’t have to!
FACT: Did you know that the average distance a person in the developing world walks for water each day is 6 kilometers? This water is often dirty and contaminated with life-threatening diseases. Today alone, nearly 1,000 children under the age of 5 will die because of poor hygiene and waterborne diseases that could have been avoided with access to clean water.
