What Messes Me Up?

I was reading yesterday's blog from my friend Cari Kelly when I began to weep (like a schoolgirl after breaking up with her first boyfriend) while watching the video attached to her post.  Those of you who know me, know that I can't keep from bawling at the thought of a kid in need or in pain.  Sorry.  I know that's not tough, or may lack in composure, or whatever you want to call it, but that's something God seems to use to mess me up quite often.

Why is it that we worry about trivial things like getting the latest generation of iPhone or Blackberry?  Or stress over corporate layoffs and downsizing in a country with unemployment services?  Why is it common for people drive a $40,000 car while complaing about being too "broke" to financially aide the single mom to get her kids into the local sports league.

We are a horribly petty society.  We call these things "issues" when there are kids in the world (or in our own communities), who won't have a drink of clean water today.  Kids who will not eat a meal over Christmas break because they won't get their school meal.  Even worse, there are kids all over the world (and probably your street) who won't have anyone hold them and tell them they're loved today.

What can I do?  God is messing me up about this for a reason.  It burns a fire through me and I won't quit doing things about it until God decides to mess me up about something else some day.  But, for now, this is consuming me.

So tell me...

• What really messes you up?  Causes uncontrollable feelings to rage in you?
• What do you plan to do about it?

JC