What's the Problem? Part 3, Conclusion

Of these two scenarios  I see three main sad commonalities in the responses:


1.  Both contain uninvolved people who loudly and clearly spread exaggerated and untrue statements.  It's like the saying goes, "People who know the least about something, know it the loudest."

2.  In both, the complainers forget about what truly matters.  And the "what" is actually a "who"-  the children.  The children are the point of both scenarios- the Deaf children in our program, and all children in the public school systems.  The complainers sure do get all upset, yet they forget to show the burden for the children.  Maybe you disagree with me at this point and claim that concern for the children is truly the point of the complaints in both scenarios.  Then I would again ask why there is no stepping up to be a part of a solution?  Why people complain about the public schools but don't show up at the prayer walks (See "Public Schools" in Embarassed -Part 2), and aren't involved in any ministries in the schools?  Why people who complain about our county's Deaf Ed. program aren't coming along side to help improve it?  No, if it truly was about the children then these people wouldn't be only complaining, they would be taking action.

3. Often the people who complain about both these areas also insist that the response should be one of getting out.  For example, these Christians often say that our Christian kids should never be sent to the public schools and Christians shouldn't work there.  People who complain about our Deaf Ed. program also say that interpreters who have credentials should get out of this county and go to that near-by state.  To these suggestions I say this:  Well, that's when you'll have the problem.  That's what would really be the demise of these areas.  Take out all the Christian lights from the public schools and that's when you can watch the darkness win.  Take the credentialed interpreters out of the county and that's when you'll have a lousy program.  And again, then the children will be the ones to suffer.  I mean really, how do you think that by running away, that will make things better?  But that's just it- the interest is not in making the problem better; they're merely concerned about making points, keeping their noses up, and being outraged.

There's a philosophy out there that says, "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem."  I don't agree with this view.  There are so many problems in this world that is just not possible to be a part of every solution.  So, that is not the philosophy I'm pushing in this series.

What I am saying is that if you are all worked up about a problem to the point that you are complaining a lot about it to plenty of people, then you better be a part of a solution.  Merely griping about something does not mean that you truly care.  In fact, it really says you don't.

Maybe this blog seems harsh, and maybe it is.  But I've gotta tell ya, I'm over it.  Please, if you see a problem either, pray up and step up, or pray up and hush up.

There needs to be a greater vision- a focus on the bigger picture.  And unfortunately, that vision usually means getting involved and putting in some elbow grease.  But boy, if we could do that instead of simply whining, what a different world it would be,