My Most Important and Favorite Job

"Mama, can I please have another soda?"
"No - I'm sorry. I love you."
"But why?"
"Because. What is my most important and favorite job? Raising you to become a great grown-up."

This conversation has been replayed so many times at our house that my kids who are now 12, 15 and 17, help me complete that final sentence.

Lamenting about the ailments of our society and the toxins of today's culture is as common to my conversations as they seem to be to just about anyone. I've also praised the undeserving and been sucked into the distractions of living in 2009. Blogging right now instead of working or cleaning my bathroom is a great example of my succumbing to time stealers.

In addition to caring for my family and worshipping God, my head often spins when considering the people in need all over. From the pain around the globe to the brokenness down the street: we are all personally affected by the great needs of human suffering. We should be. Some of us have been there.

So, at times like this when my desire to help becomes almost overwhelming, somewhat like a whirlpool spinning, sucking me in, then some nugget draws to the center and rises to a calm surface. The "whirlpool" theme tends, for me, to be caring for children - from birth to adulthood.

Our family is very blessed with great friends and a fantastic support system. We have our own battles to wage, but we have a team willing to scramble at any moment to hit it head on. My pressing concern is for the families that need more teammates and equipment.