Justice and the poor

okay, so the question of justice. Webster's defines it as " the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness: to uphold the justice of a cause." So what does that mean and what does it look like to me? I think that justice is more than just what we see in court and what we think we deserve or don't deserve when we've done wrong to others or they've done wrong to us.

When it comes to Christ and justice, I sense a deeper prying in my spirit and it's not always one that I am comfortable with. I do deeply believe that each of us have been created in the image of God. Why God has some of us here in the US living well and some on the streets barely making it- I don't know. At times I have to be reminded that this isn't the original plan for His creation. It was a perfect place and we messed it up. I'm processing what is social justice. Is it those who have being forced to give to those who dont? And even if they do, will it solve the problems that those in poverty or in socially unpopular positions are in? i think throwing money at these problems tends to perpetuate the problems.

I also tend to see that those in poverty need not just their physical needs met, but there are spiritual needs that need to be met as well. If we as Christians are not willing to step in and being a part of these peoples' lives, are we really helping them? Are we really being part of creating a more 'just' society or are we just throwing money at a problem and hope they find their way?

If justice is truly about leveling the playing field and giving others the same chances and opportunities... then we've got a huge responsibility. It's not just about changing the systems. That such a small portion of it. We need to get messy and help change people. We need to love and value them. We need to gain trust and we need to walk alongside and help people walk through the system that treats them like dirt and let's be honest- doesn't help them to get out of the system.

If justice is about giving all equitable opportunities- what is the cost to me and are they fair- both personally and in my political thoughts. Am I willing to make them?

I think we throw around the word justice way too often and we don't really think about the implications of it. I think we need to stop and think before we speak.
Justice is a powerful word and has powerful and deep ramifications. One must be fully aware of the full extent of its use before diving into the realm of 'social justice'....

Micah 6:8- Do justice and Love mercy and to walk humbly with my God. This verse is so challenging to me. For me, it's easy to do these things when it's not my neighborhood. It's easy to send money overseas and write letters, make smart purchases and try to help change systematically what is going on in places other than the US. But what about the injustices done down the street. Why is that a bit harder? Am I able to love mercy when it's me having to show mercy?

Just some thoughts... what do you think? Oh, here's a link to an interesting quick article I read. I like some portions of this magazine, but how we get to some the proposed solutions is where we differ.

http://blog.sojo.net/2009/06/24/why-are-people-poor/

What is Justice?

Well, I'm still on vacation and I don't want to just sit in front of the computer all morning rambling- I'll save that for when I get home. I have done a lot of reading and it's caused a variety of issues to start to stir. I will address the majority of them in the next few days, but there is one question that I've really been wrestling with- What is justice- both from a Christian and secular world view? I've been reading a lot of books lately dealing with a variety of 'social justice' issues and the way in which justice is thrown about and defined is so varied, that I wonder if I've forgotten what justice truly is or if it just being used in ways that justify or intensify points being made by the authors. Now, this is not to say that the issues and the passions and points these people are making are not valid. They are. Very much so. And there is part of me that thinks maybe I'm falling prey to semantics. However, as the CHURCH universal changes (and I'll address this once back in Cincinnati) if we younger ones want to be agents of change, we have to respect and engage those in the generation before and after us. Justice, as I'm seeing, has so many varied implications, that I think it critical to have a good working definition.
What do you think?

Ah, yeah... Sorry about that.

Well, here we are another month gone by and not a peep from the fearless leader of 5 (yes, I include my husband).

Since when did May get about as crazy as the 2 weeks before Christmas? Who said that could happen and that was a good idea. I really want things to slow down, not spend up! AAGGHH!!!

Well, May has been full of life changes for us (imagine that). Brian finally was able to celebrate his MBA completion with a good old fashion cook-out at the Kershner abode. It was really nice and it was so good to see and visit with people. Well, let me clarify. It was good to see B visit with people, I was doing what I normally do running around making sure my kiddos weren't about to parachute off the roof of the house.

May has also brought about lots of visitors. Some of our favorite people from Cleveland- the Anthony's- came for a weekend visit during Memorial Day weekend. And between the 8 kids, sleepless nights and yummy food, I think we had one of the best weekends I can remember in quite a while. It is amazing to have people in your life who feel like your favorite jeans. They are comfortable, loved, precious and perfect for you. That's how I feel about the Anthony's.

May also brought about one of the more stressful things we as parents go through- new teachers. Our kids are going to a Montessori public school and they change people every 3 years. This is a transition year for Hannah. The precious soul, Joanne, who has loved and nurtured her for 3 years is having to pass her on. I don't know how parents who go through this every year do it. Every 3 years is more than enough for me. The night before her last night of school, Hannah was in bed and just broke down and cried about not being in Mrs. Meyer's class anymore. She cried because her friends wouldn't be in her class anymore and she was in hysterics about not knowing if she would like her teacher and if she'd know anyone in her class. I was almost in tears with her.
We talked for a while and then we prayed together for peace and we prayed God would let just 1 friend to be in her class next year. She finally calmed down and fell asleep and then I was up. I couldn't sleep because I was so anxious (not to mention I still had to pack for vacation).
The next day, I stopped by the school to help with FIeld Day and to drop off gifts to the kids' teachers and ran into Hannah and she was so excited. She said that she had 1 friend in her class and it is a good friend (Thank God for answering the prayers of a child). Hannah's teacher caught me and told me that she really pushed for Hannah to have the teacher she is paired with b/c she felt that the teacher relates well with kids and would do a good job in helping to create an environment in which Hannah can be Hannah. It is hard to entrust our kids to others. I am thankful for teachers that my kids have had and I am grateful that even in my fear and uncertainty, God continues to give me peace that all is well.