I remember a song being sung when I was a young girl. It was called, "I Would Gather Children."
I heard it in the independent baptist church where I was raised. And while I have long since left the baptist denomination, I remain thankful for that particular church's presence in my life. It gave me ties and relationships that have lasted my entire life. Introduced me to true leaders, selfless, and compassionate, like Pastor Brooks. It led me to my faith. And maybe, most importantly, it led me to question my faith and confront the struggle between things I was taught, and what I knew in my heart about Jesus. And this, ultimately, brought me to a place where I live freely and bravely, trying to love unconditionally as Jesus loves.
I couldn't find a video of the song to share. But I did find this poem, which I believe are the lyrics of the song, or at least very similar. The author is unknown.
Here's some ideas on how:
https://www.mother.ly/news/5-powerful-ways-we-can-help-detained-immigrant-children-today?rebelltitem=2#rebelltitem2
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/26/how-to-donate-to-help-migrant-children-at-the-border.html
https://www.lirs.org/help-immigrant-children/
I heard it in the independent baptist church where I was raised. And while I have long since left the baptist denomination, I remain thankful for that particular church's presence in my life. It gave me ties and relationships that have lasted my entire life. Introduced me to true leaders, selfless, and compassionate, like Pastor Brooks. It led me to my faith. And maybe, most importantly, it led me to question my faith and confront the struggle between things I was taught, and what I knew in my heart about Jesus. And this, ultimately, brought me to a place where I live freely and bravely, trying to love unconditionally as Jesus loves.
I couldn't find a video of the song to share. But I did find this poem, which I believe are the lyrics of the song, or at least very similar. The author is unknown.
Some would gather money
Along the path of life
Some would gather roses,
And rest from worldly strife.
But I would gather children
From among the thorns of sin,
I would seek a golden curl,
And a freckled, toothless grin.
For money cannot enter
In that land of endless day,
And roses that are gathered
Soon will wilt along the way.
But oh, the laughing children,
As I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven,
I can take them in with me!
~Author Unknown
Baptists. Methodists. Catholics. Christians. Jews. Atheists. HUMANS who claim to be decent individuals: Will you gather children? Will you gather them as they sleep on a concrete floor without blankets, with empty stomachs and heads full of lice? Will you gather children, from infants to teenagers who have been involuntarily separated from their parents and family members? The policies and actions of the leaders of this country who WE HAVE ELECTED, have brought us all into this situation and now it's time to respond. If we do nothing, we are complicit. I am. You are. I'm tired of Christians doing nothing but giving lip service. Talking the talk. Singing the song. Close your mouth. And go gather the children.
Here's some ideas on how:
https://www.mother.ly/news/5-powerful-ways-we-can-help-detained-immigrant-children-today?rebelltitem=2#rebelltitem2
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/26/how-to-donate-to-help-migrant-children-at-the-border.html
https://www.lirs.org/help-immigrant-children/
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