There’s been a lot of talk lately about illegal aliens and refugees. There’s much animosity building, in many parts of the world including right here on our own continent. I think the majority of citizens in the U.S. and Canada seem to have forgotten their heritage. If our ancestors are not indigenous to this continent, then, did they not arrive here themselves, uninvited?
Sometimes, when I ‘m running, or walking our country road, or driving in my car alone, I ponder what is and what might have been. I thank God every day for my home, my family…my freedom. But what if I had not been so privileged? A wife and mother living for years on end in a refugee camp? A child born to a family fleeing violence in Iraq, or Syria? Gang violence in Mexico forcing me to flee from all that is familiar, believing that slipping into an antagonistic country illegally is a better option?
I can’t help but feel that if we all contemplated these scenarios, we might treat others more kindly. I don’t know why I’ve been given this life when hundreds of thousands suffer on a daily basis, but nothing gives me the right to feel superior; to laud it over any other human being.
I can’t begin to offer solutions to this ongoing dilemma, but I believe prayer is a powerful tool. If we pray that world leaders can come together to work out solutions; if we pray that nations, that allow these atrocities to happen, are made accountable…perhaps those countries being overrun with more immigrants than they can handle will get a respite. If these issues cannot be resolved soon, and people continue to come, can’t we accept those fleeing to our shores with kindness and respect? Our own heritage should make us stop and think – didn’t many of our ancestors suffer in a similar manner? And what if a member of your family was trying to escape violence and being denied an opportunity for a better life?
Who are our neighbours? Technology, which brings global news to us in an instant, has actually brought us in line with Jesus’ teaching – everyone is our neighbour. Let us try to be more tolerant. Let us open our hearts with compassion, and our arms with love. Let us pray.
