I Won’t Be Easy

I saw the remarkable movie “One Life.” It is the true story of a British man named Nicky Winton. As WW2 was developing in Europe, he learned of the plight of the children of Prague. These children were living in terrible conditions, and he told his mother he could not look the other way. He was going to Prague. When he got there, it only reinforced his determination.

He formed relationships to gain the trust he would need to understand the challenge’s scope and start finding solutions. He enlisted the help of his mother, a very able negotiator, to have England accept these children. He was surprised, however, by all the requirements, including a foster home for each child and money set aside to return the children to their families once the struggles died down. The amount needed per child amounted to $5,364!

He worked on preparing the children before he had foster families or the money needed. In his way of thinking, he didn’t have it together YET. He and his team went on to save 669 children. He did not ask for or, for many years, receive any recognition. In fact, he lived his adult life to the old age of 106, grieving for those he did not save. Many of the children he saved were Jewish. In Prague, 12,000 children would be sent to the concentration camp, and most would die there.

Each life we reach matters. When we think about our work, we save lives also. Nicky Winton’s purpose was to give children a chance to grow up, to be loved, have food, go to school, and play.  These are not extraordinary events but everyday tasks and opportunities to share burdens and joys. This also is what we do. It is not easy. We don’t all agree on fundamental beliefs like inclusion. We don’t have all the money we need to compensate our staff the way we should.  We have not called to our neighbors effectively to serve the way we do. YET!

As we resolve each day to live our work lives, I hope we will live in gratitude for those lives where we have made a difference and in determination for those we still wish to reach. I would like to live believing it has just not happened yet.