Today’s Thought “Squalid Conditions” G. Ward

 

^“Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” Jeremiah 29:5-7

 

"Village Ghetto Land"

Would you like to go with me
Down my dead end street
Would you like to come with me
To Village Ghetto Land

See the people lock their doors
While robbers laugh and steal
Beggars watch and eat their meal -from garbage cans

Broken glass is everywhere
It's a bloody scene
Killing plagues the citizens
Unless they own police

Children play with rusted cars
Sores cover their hands
Politicians laugh and drink-drunk to all demands

Families buying dog food now
Starvation roams the streets
Babies die before they're born
Infected by the grief

Now some folks say that we should be
Glad for what we have
Tell me would you be happy in Village Ghetto Land

Village Ghetto Land

One of my favorite albums of all time would have to be Stevie Wonder’s Songs In the Key of Life (1976). This particular song, Village Ghetto Land asks a great question for the ones of us lacking empathy, and then quick to share with those in despair, “things could be worse” or “count your blessings!”

Words most certainly be encouraging, we however can cheapen our verbal expressions via our inability to remain vigilant with those distressed an oppressed victims. The Apostle James recorded, “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body” (3:2). When your time arrives to stumble, what is it that you want to hear? Happy Monday!