The Forgotten Man (Week 3)

This semester I will be posting my thoughts every week on some media I've consumed. This is a semester-long project for my SFL 358 class: Media and Family Development. 

The Forgotten Man 

I listened to a beautiful devotional this morning by Gayla Sorensen (https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/gayla-m-sorenson_doth-not-stink-advocacy-love/). 

In the devotional she shared this picture, The Forgotten Man, by Maynard Dixon, part of the BYU museum of art collection. I had a moment where tears immediately and unexpectedly came. It amazes me that an artist can convey this much emotion, and imply so much in such a simple frame. I feel like the message of this painting is that we encounter people every.single.day. who could benefit from
our love, encouragement, and support.
No, not benefit- NEED our love, encouragement, and support.

I was walking on campus the other day and I saw a girl who was visibly distressed and crying. I watched as another girl who didn't know her went up to her, hugged her, and let her cry on her shoulder. It's overwhelming to consider how many people in the world must feel like the man above, but that moment gave me so much hope that a difference can be made one person, and one act of love at a time.