The Frog

I've never tried this.  I just heard about it.  Apparently if you place a frog in water and heat it up slowly, the frog will stay even as the water gets extremely hot.  However, if you throw a frog into heated water, it will jump out.  We are often like the frog.  We get used to things like bullying behaviors, abuse (physical, emotional, psychological), anger issues, gossiping, cruelty, discrimination, judgmental attitudes, and cursing, etc.  We do not like to "rock the boat."  We are creatures of habit and want to be "safe" and not "get involved" with the issues of those who have no security, safety, peace or adequate food, water, or shelter.  We "look the other way" so that we are not called to help.  We are afraid that we don't have the means to help.  God gives us the "means" if we ask.  We can't save the world but we can often help those we know about in our daily lives.  It involves opening our sight to really see the issues faced by others in our community and world.  It means actively listening to others as they share their situations.  It may be bullying that our own children experience in school but we are too "busy" to hear or care.  If we intervene in one life, we are making a difference.  In the new year, we can resolve to have courage to be a support system to the weaker, marginalized individuals who are not sharing in the American dream.