Hunger

I love my kids because they’re my kids—that’s what moms do—and most of the time I like them too. And then once in awhile they do something that makes me really proud, and that’s just icing on this big old motherhood layer cake—really good icing, like cream cheese frosting, or maybe chocolate ganache. Today I’m proud of Schuyler. He decided on his own to participate in World Vision’s 30-Hour Famine, a worldwide movement of students who, on a designated weekend, raise funds for and awareness of those in extreme poverty. From the 30-Hour Famine web site: “For 30 hours, participants get a taste of hunger by not eating—something more than a billion people around the world experience every day. And by doing fundraising activities, community service projects, and learning more about the facts of world hunger, students are changed in amazing ways as they help others and save lives.”

With their prayers and fundraising efforts dedicated to helping Haiti, the high schoolers from our Little Church by the Sea and Laguna Presbyterian started their fast today at 11 and will not eat until tomorrow at 5. I was a little worried about how this would go, since Schuyler had a tennis match after school and a surf contest tomorrow morning—and he’ll be sleeping under cardboard boxes with the other kids tonight—but he assured me he’s tough and will be just fine. I was so humbled by his attitude that I promised to fast with him, in solidarity. I mean, if my teenager with about two percent body fat and two different sports commitments can take on this challenge, then why not me? Plus, every time my stomach growls it reminds me to pray for Schuyler and the other Laguna kids fasting with him, as well as, of course, the people of Haiti.

So, for Schuyler and his friends:

An empty stomach

and eyes wide open make for

a full heart that gives