Dear Millennials...sometimes...we suck.

Lizzy decided sitting in high chairs is lame....

Today I went out for a lunch at a pretty hipster place. The kind that's packed with people ages 20-30. I took my 14 month old along. About half way through my really awesome burrito, my kid decides to attempt an escape and slide out the bottom of the high chair I had her in. And half way out the bottom, she got stuck. I mean like, really stuck. I couldn't get her out. I tried to slide her out the bottom. I tried to pull her out the top. She wouldn't budge. I was panicking. Silently pleading with the people around me for help. And no one moved.

I got plenty of glares. Plenty of stares that said, "that kid is ruining my lunch." But no one got up to help.

I eventually freed her and held her close while she cried. She had bumped her teeth and her gums were bleeding. I got a few relieved looks then, but no one said anything to me.

Lizzy was over it in a few seconds, trying to squirm off my lap again.

I'm still not over it yet. I'm hurt. I'm angry. I'm upset with my generation. I'm upset with myself.

A few months ago, I was driving home and I saw a little girl eat it. Hard. Down the hill, on to the concrete, bam. I slowed down, considered going back about 5 times...and kept driving. I should have stopped. I should have slammed on the brakes, put it in park, and ran over to her. WHY didn't I?

Several years ago, I saw some little kids outside a gas station. They didn't have shoes on. It was way too cold to not have shoes on. I considered going back into the gas station and buying them hot chocolate and snacks. But I drove away. Five miles down the road I turned around and went back, but they were gone.

I should have helped. I should have stopped worrying about upsetting someone, hurting someone's pride, hurting my own pride, being inconvenienced.

I see now that this issue isn't just mine. I really believe that it is my generation's problem. (Obviously it doesn't apply to everyone and it isn't JUST my generation, but...) We have big ideas of equality, unity, and prosperity. But we are unwilling to be inconvenienced by others to achieve it. We're unwilling to be embarassed or hurt or disappointed. I'm unwilling. So often. And there's really nothing I regret more.

God gives me one chance in situations like this. One chance and it's gone. Sometimes, the need of those around me isn't ongoing and prolonged. Sometimes, all it would take is holding the high chair and helping the mom to free her child. Picking up the girl with the bleeding knees. Buying some snacks for hungry kids.

You and I have the opportunity in that moment to help. But I don't think it's a decision we make in that moment. It's a decision we make now. That when we see a need we act. Doesn't matter what it costs. If we are able, we help.

If I am able, I will help.

I will help.

I WILL help.

Will you?