Cruelty and the Materialistic

I just finished scanning the news like I do every morning and I read an article about a dairy farm in Ohio where the cows and calves were horribly abused. And that upset me so I thought about that.
I grew up in a cruel home but always believed there was kindness to be found somewhere. But this Pollyanna has grown up. It is a cruel world. And kindness is not to be found. No wonder I have never felt like I belong here.
In the news we read how a four year old boy had his face bashed in with a hammer to prevent law enforcement from making an identification. We read how new born cow calves are forced to the ground and have their heads stomped. And we all see blatant cruelty for what it is - cruelty.
But there are different degrees of cruelty. And there are stories of cruelty that do not make the news because we, as a society have grown so cold-hearted we have come to accept cruelty as normal.

When we lie for gain or lie to manipulate others, that is cruel. When we ignore people or turn our backs on people in need, that is cruel. When we gossip about others, that is cruel. But in today's world, THAT is acceptable. Look at the success of reality TV where every one in America watches and learns new ways of being cruel to each other! And when we are cruel and feel like "we've come out ahead" we feel good about that? We feel strong? And better than our "victim"?

It takes courage and love to refuse to conform to the cruelty of this world and to hold on to love and compassion especially for those who truly do not deserve it. And this is why in God's Kingdom, the least here become the first there and the first here, become the least there. People in this world have got to wake up to the fact that when we are cruel to each other, we are being cruel to Christ. For what you do unto the least of these my brethern you do unto me.
I guess I am very grateful that I have been the victim of people's cruelty because it was those experiences and the deep pain they brought, that helped me to decide to be kind in a world where kindness is seen as weak. I do not wish to be a part of this world. I much prefer my world and the people in it. We understand what is truly valuable. And doesn't that explain the materialistic mindset? When a cruel person does not value love, and kindness and compassion....when none of these things matter to them, what is left to value? The Materialistic. Big homes? Fancy cars? More toys? More shoes? How sad. The materialistic individual may have homes and closets stuffed with objects, while their hearts remain empty. And those of us that know what is truly valuable, may have less cluttered homes, but our hearts overrun with the things that are good. How very sad.
gently,laura