Matthew 25 Challenge Day 3: Fear Chases Away Compassion

This week, things on the blog and on my social media are going to be looking a little bit different. It's because this week, we are being challenged together through the World Vision Matthew 25  Challenge. To learn more about the challenge check out this post. 
"...I was a stranger and you invited me in." Today's challenge has you sleeping on the floor tonight. Do not skip this one! Most people who take this challenge find that this night is the most impactful challenge from the whole week. It also provides an opportunity for you to have a real discussion with your children about the refugee crisis. 
Family challenge: make a necklace using a key to wear {or you can purchase one here}. Many times a refugee family will leave their home and will carry their house key with them in hopes of returning again. Wear the key around your neck as a reminder of those people who have been forced to leave their homes.

Matthew 25 Challenge Day 3: Fear Chases Away Compassion

More than 65 million people have been forced out of their homes around the world by things like war and disasters. More than half of those displaced are children. 
Many of us have heard of the Syrian refugee crisis, but have you heard of the refugee crisis in Myanmar? Right now it's the most urgent refugee crisis in the world. 
I have a mother's heart and when I hear stories of mothers struggling to provide the very basics {think safety and clean water and food} for their children, my heart breaks, especially when it's through no fault of their own. 
I am quick to think of how I can help, what I can do and how I can align myself to step in to relieve their burdens. I must confess, it's easy for me to tune out the crisis' of the world. 
When images of young children bloodied and crying during the Syrian refugee crisis came up in my feed, it was easy to scroll past because I didn't have the courage to look right at it.  I have the luxury of being able to skip those parts in the news that seem scary or are overwhelming or heck, to just avoid them altogether and stick to my pretty squares on Instagram. 
The refugee crisis is getting harder and harder to ignore {it's creeping up to our borders} and sometimes it feels like there is no good solution for how we should respond. 

Here are 6 Ways to Respond to the Refugee Crisis

It's easy to hear conversations about refugees and information on immigration and for there to be an undertone of fear involved in those conversations. Fear chases away compassion, which in turn destroys our ability to respond effectively. 
Share a picture of your key necklace or take a shot of your temporary sleeping arrangements tonight. 

Don't forget to join in and share your experience from the challenge today. Use #M25challenge to find, follow and post on social media.