God's children

The discussion was about salvation. I was telling Dad and Marlene about reading the gospel of John in the bible.
I was underlining all the parts about salvation and the purpose of life. Alot of what I found was about faith, believing, etc but words that went with that word, "believe" were words like obey and doing God's will. At the end of our discussion I said something like, "But I always think about how, no matter what my own kids did, I would never stop loving them and I would not condemn them to hell. I would always want the best for them. And I think God is like that with His children." Dad was very quiet. (He usually is when Marlene and I get to ranting on and on.) But then he spoke, emotionally, "You know the thing that bothers me. I saw this thing on tv and it had kids starving in some country. And I just don't understand it. How could a God who loves all His children let this happen?"
I could tell it really disturbed Dad. I had been thinking about this for quite some time. I replied, "Sometimes I think that God is so commited to our freedom (free will) that no matter what happens, He will not step in. That God leaves it up to us. God gives us the Holy Spirit (the most powerful force on earth) to change things if we will but God does not interfere."
Dad, "I'm thinking that's true also."
Me, "Maybe our greatest condemnation will be that we did nothing."
This morning as I laid in bed I was thinking about my own life. We have had many opportunities to give and I suppose we've given more than most, and less than some, but I can't help but think about the way we have thrown away so much money on things that don't really matter.
At the end of the movie, "Shindler's List" Arthur Schindler, who had saved hundreds of Jews by buying them to work in his factory began to cry. "I could have done more," he cried, " This ring, this car, I could have sold them and saved one more."
I know that right now a large percent of our world is starving to death. That means children the age of Michael, Kate, Spencer...are hungry, crying. I can do more. Right now we are a bit cash poor. The only way I can give more is to not be frivolous (or give up my trips to see those grandkids and I'm not going to do that). I wonder how much I could give each month if I just ate off the dollar menu at Wendys instead of a large sandwich. If I didn't let my pride cause me to spend too much on a shower gift. If I let my grandkids go to the library instead of buying them books. If I rearranged my garden, using peranials that spread instead of buying new flowers, if I didn't think I had to keep up with the latest styles. If I didn't buy things I don't need sometimes. If...
Nathan and Karen told me they read that guilt was a way to make ourselves feel morally superior. I don't want to just feel guilty and then go back to my old way of life. I want to be different for the sake of others. But I think I am selfish enough that it will be hard. If you read this, help me to remember. Remind me kindly to stick with it. For the sake of God's children.