Well, every now and then us so-called mentors of future generations need to take a step back, keep our mouths shut and observe from those whose lives are just beginning. Want to talk about real profiles in courage, consider Rachel Beckwith.
Some time ago, this Seattle girl embarked on a mission to celebrate her June birthday: Forget the cards and presents and all that. She wanted people to contribute to her quest to provide clean and safe drinking water in those desperate niches of the world, places where people die because they don’t have it. And that death toll continues to rise.
Rachel did her homework. She urged contributors to donate to www.charitywater.org, which locates and drills for freshwater in needy places.
Her goal was to raise a measly $300. She was well on her way to reach that amount – only $80 shy of it by her stated deadline – but she was undaunted.
Reportedly she told her family, No problem. For her 10th birthday in 2012 she promised to work harder to raise more bucks. She apparently felt momentum was on her side.
In late July, Rachel was critically injured in a car accident, her spine severed in a horrendous turn of events on an interstate. The prognosis was bleak. And her parents made that agonizing decision to take her off of life-support systems and let nature run its course. A bright light turned off way too early.
And then a wondrous thing happened. News and social media picked up on her simple dream. Her message spread like wildfire and celebrities and common folk responded accordingly. At last report, the fund has raised more than $800,000, and the floodgate of response continues to be open.
I am reminded of what the Isaiah said so many centuries ago: The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together, and a little child will lead them.
This world is in so much need of a calming, cool and clean drink of kindness.
Maybe it begins with the wisdom of a little girl named Rachel.
No comments:
Post a Comment