Justice in the Burbs: Being the Hands of Jesus Where You Live by Will and Lisa Samson

Leave it to Lisa Samson to make a heavy subject an entertaining read.

Justice is a topic I’ve been hearing more and more lately in Christian circles, so it didn’t surprise me when Lisa, with her husband Will, wrote a book on the subject. The best part of the book: the characters the facts are hung on. So instead of a dry read, we follow how a Christian family finds their way into helping the less fortunate, out of the box of the church, transforming their lives in the process.

Having said that, this is not a comfortable read, especially if you are into all that big spending, over living, over commit yourself mindset. The scene about Habitat Humanity house building without a mainline church volunteer represented – that got my Irish up, but not enough to make me stop reading. And I admit the point was made – we are good at helping our own church body, yet often fail to help where the work is already under way with another (shocking! secular) organization.

Teaching justice to children

I read this book not only as a Christian interested in social issues, but as a mom looking to teach her kids how to be sensitive to these types of situations. As a mother, it’s my ultimate goal to raise my children into adults who care for others. I’m always looking for good ideas and at the end of the book several practical steps are offered to help a regular church goer like myself to do justice to others.

I don’t have to look very far to find an example for my children. Just the act of attending church for us is a lesson in justice and caring for others.

There is a boy at church with autism. I find myself frequently reminding my children to look out for him, especially when his older brother does that big brother thing and tries to bully him. Brothers will be brothers, autism or not.

I tell my children that when they see that boy not understanding how to play a game or when he cries easily with frustration, don’t be quick to judge. Show patience and love, take the road no one else walks and be his friend.

I’m not sure my boys get it yet. My boys are still competitive with each other, so to make them understand compassion and mercy to this autistic boy is hit and miss. Yet I have to try. I think of Will and Lisa Samson’s book and I know I have to start somewhere. What better place than on the playground with their own peers?

An opportunity to help

I was pleased to read in the resource section in the back of the book a plug for Compassion International, an organization I’m involved with, and one that has recently jumped on the blogging bandwagon. (What a great way to educate believers on the work of Compassion International; the power of blogging at it’s finest.)

As you are probably aware, there is a food crisis in the world today. People are starving because of lack of food and now going hungry because they simply can’t afford to buy it. Where is the justice is this situation? Compassion International is on the attack with a prayer and fasting campaign set for this Wednesday, June 25. Right now you can sign up to participate on behalf of suffering children around the world. I urge you to do so and share this story with your children. It’s an excellent opportunity to teach them about the world and the suffering in it.

Links

Compassional International Day of Prayer and Fasting

Lisa Samson’s website

Other posts about Lisa’s books:

Consuming Summer: Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson

Boy, Do I Feel Foolish

Love Now

© 2008 Monica Brand | Paper Bridges