Skip to main content

Gather Children

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.
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/

Comments

ركن الامثل said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
July 4, 2019 at 6:51 PM
ركن الامثل said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
July 4, 2019 at 6:51 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Magical Moment 625, "Thailand - the Elephants"

Needless to say, my favorite part of our Thailand vacation, was our week long volunteering at  Elephant Nature Park ! The logging industry was banned in Thailand in 1989, leaving thousands of elephants unemployed. These elephants are now used for tourism. You may have heard of elephant shows featuring the animals playing soccer or painting pictures with their trunks. They are no doubt amazing to watch, but the sad truth is that these elephants have gone through a series of torture and abuse to "break their spirit" by their trainers. This short clip is very hard to watch, but it will give you an idea of what the elephants in captivity in the country of Thailand go through. The only elephants in Thailand who do  not  endure this, are the very few baby elephants who are first generation born in "safe captivity" at places like Elephant Nature Park. Every other elephant at this park has been brutally abused. Some have been blinded by their owners, le...
26 comments
Read more

Magical Moment 620, "Lilac Garden"

Eddie and I visited the Lilac Gardens at Ringwood Manor in New Jersey, a pristine and beautiful state park with 8 species of lilacs and several varieties within. We went on a rainy afternoon, which turned out perfect because the rain stopped for us when we got there, and began again as soon as we left. It also decorated the plants with gorgeous rain drops, adding to their beauty.  And now for a quick game of "Where's Elizabeth?" And "Where's Eddie?" ~~Have a great weekend! ~~
48 comments
Read more

Magical Moment 280, "The Eleventh Hour"

The Veterans Day Parade, NYC On July 29, 2001 , five exceptional men were honored by the President of the United States for their remarkable military service. They were involved in a top secret mission that required unfathomable intelligence and as a result, literally won a battle which was instrumental in winning the war. Not the war that was happening in 2001, not even the Gulf War. It was World War II, and they were the Navajo Code Talkers who were largely responsible for winning the bloody battle of Okinawa. The only problem with the ceremony was that just 5 remained of the original 29. Our country was too late in thanking the other 24, and nearly too late in thanking those 5 men. On March 10, 2010, three hundred women won the Congressional Gold medal for their outstanding war service. Unfortunately, 800 received the award posthumously. These were the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II, who devoted themselves to flying military aircraft like the B-26 and B-...
18 comments
Read more