In the past year or so my eyes were opened to a lot that I didn't know were issues or things to be concerned about. I learned about handmade and small businesses, human traffiking, adoption in the US and outside of it, international and domestic politics, and other "grown up" things I didn't really understand, namely taxes and and how the government uses them. As each problem and issue was brought to light I felt like I needed to become its advocate right then and there which doesn't work very well with so many issues to be passionate about. I've become pretty passionate about certain topics, abortion and modesty, in recent years but the others are new and exciting and give me lots to think about.
And that's the problem. These topics give me so much to think about that I get overwhelmed and can't handle the topics that I am passionate about. What's going to happen to me and my family with Obamacare? Will we get in a war with Russia and their buddies because of Syria? How am I supporting adoption and other organizations in Africa? What about blogging and small businesses? Buy handmade or buy local? These and so many other thoughts are what go through my head any time I have time to think for a minute.
So I've decided to focus on a few and leave the rest completely up to God. Me being passionate about politics is not necessarily going to change anything and worrying about the government and my taxes is a worry I don't need quite yet. But amid those concerns are some issues I do want to become an advocate for, things I consider important to me and to the general well being of more people.
I will always be passionate about abortion and modesty because those are issues that have become personal in different ways. However I've recently become a big supporter of small businesses, especially handmade businesses. I'll do a post on that at another time but in the meantime I've been spreading word about the small businesses I've found and that do excellent work and profit real people and not CEO's and China. I want to support adoption in Africa but actually adopting isn't an option so I've found other ways. I aim to support those who are adopting from Africa and need help fundraising to bring their little one home as well as supporting Amazima Ministries. I found them through Katie Davis' Kisses from Katie and can't wait to start supporting children's education in Africa. Because of that book I started supporting a little girl named Maria in Columbia who is just about to turn two years old. :)
I can't support everyone and their problems but a few I can advocate I will with all I've got. This life is too short to ignore every organization and problem because of being overwhelmed. I can't wait to see how the Lord is going to use these causes for Him and how He's going to use them to grow me.