Share Abundance

Amidst all the debates about the flood of undocumented children crossing the U.S. border this week, one story stood out for me that might help us, as a nation, deal with this. On Monday, a Frontier Airlines pilot was forced to land an already delayed D.C.-Denver flight at the Cheyenne Airport in Wyoming because of bad weather.  He had to deal with 160 agitated hungry passengers inside a hot plane.  He made the announcement, “Ladies and gentleman, Frontier Airlines is known for being one of the cheapest airlines in the U.S., but your captain is not cheap.  I just ordered pizza for the entire plane."

Meanwhile, the Cheyenne Domino's Pizza got their staff together and made 35 pizzas in 30 minutes and delivered them to Flight 719. The manager said that the staff was actually “super excited.”  "They had a blast. It was a challenge," he said. "It was definitely one of those `challenge accepted' moments in time."

Of course, Frontier Airlines got national media attention. The pilot’s investment definitely paid off in the long run with all this good P.R. for the company. 

We now have thousands of children stranded in-between nations.  They are hungry; they are scared. Their situation is a thousand times more severe than the 160 passengers’ on Flight 719.  What are we going to do?  Learn from our Frontier Airlines pilot and the workers at Domino Pizza; accept this crisis as a challenge and share our abundant skills and resources. 

Think of sharing our talents and resources as an investment.  Instead of spending our resources to do all the legal stuff and send them back to their home countries facing more oppressions and hardships, here is what I suggest we do:  Welcome the children, give them shelter, give them food, give them supportive communities, and more importantly, give them education. Help them maintain the language and culture of their home countries as well as teaching them English and the U.S. cultures. Teach them about the gifts and challenges of their home countries AND teach them about freedom and democracy. Teach them to be leaders who strive for peace and justice and, more importantly, who can affect change.  When they are older, encourage them to go back to their home countries to facilitate benevolent changes so that future generations will not need to put their children in danger, stranded on the border for nations again.

Upcoming Opportunities to Study with The Sustainist and learn more about Holy Conferencing: July 14-18, 2014 Los Angeles, CA Gracious Leadership Training Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training August 8-9, 2014 Seattle, WA Holy Currencies Orientation September 3-4, 2014 Chicago, IL KI Catalyst (Facilitator) Training November 16-20, 2014 Memphis, TN Holy Currencies: Creating Sustainable Missional Ministries Register at:  www.kscopeinstitute.org

Reflection Questions for Proper 10 (Year A): Genesis 25:19-34    How does the struggle between Esau and Jacob connect with your won struggle? Psalm 119:105-112  How do you apply your heart to fulfill God’s commandments? Isaiah 55:10-13   In what ways have God’s words rejuvenated you like water refreshes the earth? Psalm 65:9-14   How does this passage challenge your idea of God? Psalm 145:8-15   What does this text say to you about your relationship with the earth?  Romans 8:1-11   What does it mean for the Spirit of God to dwell in you? Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23   What/where is the good soil of your community?

Eric H. F. Law
Kaleidoscope Institute
For competent leadership in a diverse changing world
www.kscopeinstitute.org