Okay so we are suppose to look at Christmas as the birth of our Savior and most of us in the fringes of our lives do...
. . . but only in the fringes.
Come on look. . .
. . . no look harder
you see. . .
. . .it’s on your sleeve.
Yep that’s our savior you dropped Him when you were trying to get to that sale or find the right checkout so that you could hurry up and make it to the next sale.
We spend our cash and time buying gifts for those we love and those we have to buy for. You know who they are.
Some folks even go into debt to get the kids the perfect gift of the year.
Pssssst guess what?
They will want something different that is better and more expensive next year.
So if we are dropping Jesus to the wayside and rushing around to buy gifts what is the true meaning of Christmas to us?
Well this year I learned a bit about Christmas.
One don’t put off the shopping
Two when you put off the shopping and you are hurt it’s, excuse the pun, a real pain.
Now I’m not writing this to bum us out or make us feel guilty so keep reading PLEASE.
One big thing that I learned is that my daughter is a really fun person to shop with. Since the death of my mom, she died right before Christmas several years ago, we have done something fun for a gift. Miss Littles was enlisted to help me because of my shoulder pain. She had several ideas and loved doing the shopping with me.
I also learned that family can have a great big pain in their hearts for those who have left this earth to be with that Savior of ours that we put on the shelf when we were trying to decide if Uncle Drew would like socks or a hat and still come together and laugh, tease, and love.
Jesus was born so that we can decorate our yards with a ridicules amount of blow up junk and lights that can be seen from space. Jesus lived on this earth as a man so that we could stand in a mall of crazed people in search of just the right thing that Aunt Sarah will love.
Jesus died so that those who have left us and those who are to join them soon, and you and I, our stupid, forgetful, passionate about shopping, selves can live forever with Him.
He came, He taught, He died so that on the day that the earth celebrates His birth with too much food, too many lights, too much spending, on a day when too much is common and expected He still loves us .
He gave us family and friends to over do it all in the name of the baby born in a manger under the light of the brightest star so that He could save us forever.
Thank you God
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Monday, December 06, 2010
A tugging has been in my heart
I wrote this last January and thought i'd republish it after reading Phillip's post from the Thinklings
It’s cold here in Oklahoma, as it has been in most places in the US. A few days ago the temperatures dropped to 16 and lower.
It is just plain cold outside.
When he walked in I knew. There was no question about it. That man is homeless. He stood tall in stature with a backpack hugging his back. I thought it must be a blessing to help keep the wind off his back.
I say that he was tall in stature but as he spoke to me half pleading he must have felt so small in standings.
He rubbed his hands together and blew a cold breath onto them. I wondered if he felt desperation. I wondered if he didn’t wish that his breath would somehow warm all of him.
He lowered his head as he spoke to me but looked at my face.
“No disrespect ma’am but it’s awful cold out there and” he looked to the door “I slept out in that last night.”
I must have looked shocked because what I said next just spilled out.
“Why didn’t you sleep in one of the missions like John 3:16?”
He looked back at me and replied “Missions were all full and as I was saying I mean no disrespect ma’am but I was wondering if I could just stand here to catch my breath.”
I replied “Yes you may.”
He stood to the side to warm up.
Where I work we aren’t allowed to let the homeless wander in the store. I couldn’t send him down for hot coffee. All that I could do was to allow him a warm place to stand for a moment. It’s not that I work for an uncaring company but I work in an area that has a lot of homeless people. Our customers don’t like being asked for money from those who don’t work. Most of the people that come into the store most likely donate to some form of charity so I know that they are caring people. I talk to them I know that one of my guys, who is always going to look to find me helps in a prison ministry and I have many other stories like his. But still we have to be responsible.
He thanked me and left before I was able to send someone for a cup of hot coffee for him.
This morning I was talking to my minister about the man and he said that he had spoken to other ministers about the same issue of overcrowded shelters and using our big empty church buildings for them. Some are open to it many aren’t.
The tugging of our hearts won’t end as long as people will huddle in the freezing temperatures.
Please pray for these men, women, and children
Matthew 25:34-38 (New International Version)
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
It’s cold here in Oklahoma, as it has been in most places in the US. A few days ago the temperatures dropped to 16 and lower.
It is just plain cold outside.
When he walked in I knew. There was no question about it. That man is homeless. He stood tall in stature with a backpack hugging his back. I thought it must be a blessing to help keep the wind off his back.
I say that he was tall in stature but as he spoke to me half pleading he must have felt so small in standings.
He rubbed his hands together and blew a cold breath onto them. I wondered if he felt desperation. I wondered if he didn’t wish that his breath would somehow warm all of him.
He lowered his head as he spoke to me but looked at my face.
“No disrespect ma’am but it’s awful cold out there and” he looked to the door “I slept out in that last night.”
I must have looked shocked because what I said next just spilled out.
“Why didn’t you sleep in one of the missions like John 3:16?”
He looked back at me and replied “Missions were all full and as I was saying I mean no disrespect ma’am but I was wondering if I could just stand here to catch my breath.”
I replied “Yes you may.”
He stood to the side to warm up.
Where I work we aren’t allowed to let the homeless wander in the store. I couldn’t send him down for hot coffee. All that I could do was to allow him a warm place to stand for a moment. It’s not that I work for an uncaring company but I work in an area that has a lot of homeless people. Our customers don’t like being asked for money from those who don’t work. Most of the people that come into the store most likely donate to some form of charity so I know that they are caring people. I talk to them I know that one of my guys, who is always going to look to find me helps in a prison ministry and I have many other stories like his. But still we have to be responsible.
He thanked me and left before I was able to send someone for a cup of hot coffee for him.
This morning I was talking to my minister about the man and he said that he had spoken to other ministers about the same issue of overcrowded shelters and using our big empty church buildings for them. Some are open to it many aren’t.
The tugging of our hearts won’t end as long as people will huddle in the freezing temperatures.
Please pray for these men, women, and children
Matthew 25:34-38 (New International Version)
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
Friday, October 08, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Memory is Sailing
I wanted to take you sailing
I had begun to think of how to do it
You loved sailing and I wanted to take you
We talked about it before
The ocean and the sand
Shells and gulls
But. . .
Then we told each other I love you
Our last words
Our last moments before
I can only dream of sailing with you
I had begun to think of how to do it
You loved sailing and I wanted to take you
We talked about it before
The ocean and the sand
Shells and gulls
But. . .
Then we told each other I love you
Our last words
Our last moments before
I can only dream of sailing with you
I pray that Heaven has big blue oceans
and you are sailing
Monday, July 12, 2010
Gone to walk with God
This morning my sister's body gave up it's fight. I'll miss her till the day I join her with our Lord
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
God's Sticker Book
It’s no surprise to those who have been here in the past that odd thoughts plagued me
and
the other day at work was no different. I was cleaning like I always do in the mornings when a thought about stickers wedged itself into my brain.
What if we got stickers for a job well done?
Can you see your boss giving you a sticker with a kitten on it because you came to work on time every day for a week?
The Forgiven sticker.
What stickers do you want in your book?
and
the other day at work was no different. I was cleaning like I always do in the mornings when a thought about stickers wedged itself into my brain.
What if we got stickers for a job well done?
Can you see your boss giving you a sticker with a kitten on it because you came to work on time every day for a week?
How about a gold star on the board next to your name because you finished all your work Chris?
Salguod great job in helping Karen with the computer here’s a stick with a car on it!
You’d proudly put it on your board in your cubical. 
Do you think that as adults we would be jealous if our coworker got a sticker and we didn’t?
Would KBob be unhappy that Barbara got the sticker of the Bible and he got nothing?
I know that as adults we get just as unhappy because others get recognized and we don’t.
Didn't we do a good job also?
Several of us were given an award for customer service not long ago that came with a pin and a bit extra in our checks. After taxes it was a happy meal. I couldn’t believe how several of my coworkers behaved when they weren’t given the award. I think that several of them needed frowny face stickers on their charts. Why do we act like that? I’m due for another award and now I’m thinking that several people will be upset with me because of it. I might need to bring stickers for them. ;-}
I wrote this a bit ago and yes several made remarks about the Fossel watch.
As I pondered those thoughts of stickers another thought popped in.
What if God had a sticker book?
You’d be standing in line waiting for God to open your book, praying that He has your book and not the man who lives in a place hotter than Texas in July, wondering if when he does you’ll have a whole bunch of cool stickers filling your book.
I wonder what kind of stickers that I would have in my book?
Great job handling the ex this week a smiley face
Lost you temper and yelled a little devil sticker
Helped a friend you get a sticker shaped like a clown fish
My turn comes and He picks up my book. I blow out a puff of air that was held in when the thoughts of my book being in the basement or lost, after all lots of others are there waiting for their sticker books. He’s God so I doubt that the guy whispering to the lady next to him about how he knew someone who said that they knew someone who said his book was lost for a week and then was found on God’s desk under his coffee mug so he got a coffee mug sticker for the trouble is telling a true story.
He’s God He doesn’t lose a book.
Sweet relief when I see that the book is rather big. Others are smaller and lots are bigger but I’m still happy with it. I stand proud when He calls off all the stickers that I was given when I was good and seem to be interested in my feet when He tells me of the stickers I was given when I was bad.
God smiles at me and places one last sticker in my book –
The Forgiven sticker.
What stickers do you want in your book?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Golly my life is a strange path
Perhaps we all know a person who just can’t let go of the bone.
Wait . . . am I mixing a metaphor?
Oh well that’s what Milly does.
This week I gave a bit of thought about this blog. I’ve had the grand pleasure of meeting in our bloggone way some wonderful people. Something that I cherish and I’m glad that they can see me on FB.
I thought about shutting it down and starting a new one. That seems like having another pet to neglect. So I will continue to abuse this one.
I had one of the worst years last year and I shared it with everyone. Yes I shared it to a point that people were fed up. Not one person said that they have heard enough but I know that I am sick of myself and this pity party. My son threw one for himself I joined him and talked about it. THE PARTY IS OVER!!!
Cancer sucks and my sister is still fighting hard. I miss her. We don’t talk like we use to but I still have her thank God.
One of my best friends battled cancer and won! Her husband took a large amount of pain killers, she left him and spent the night here with her kids. He landed in the hospital. Stupid man almost died. So far he is back in church and thankful that he has her and the kids.
My dad is doing well.
My brother,sister-in-law, and niece are wonderful.
My daughter is a ten year old little. Drama and fun happen all at once.
I have a nice home, great kids, and I’m doing just fine. I will say that I miss having a spouse to be with but I want the right man. I want a man that will be faithful to me from beginning to the end. I want a spiritual leader.
I want a man who will love my three legged dog and the kids.
I have been blessed with a great sista friend next door, I call her mom MOM. That’s huge for me no one else can ever be MOM to me but my real MOM. I love her kids. I have to they almost live here. We’ve talked about building a tunnel so that the kids can go in and out without bringing the out in.
God has blessed me with everything but a nice ex-husband and a new man in my life.
I think I needed the closure that my ex-boyfriend gave me when we went out. I needed to say what I said and hear what he had to say. I can’t really think of the life we might have had if he had proposed that December at Utica Square under those twinkly lights because he never did.
It has been a year of reflecting and resigning and resting and I’m sure other R words.
Golly my life is a strange path. Thank God
Wait . . . am I mixing a metaphor?
Oh well that’s what Milly does.
This week I gave a bit of thought about this blog. I’ve had the grand pleasure of meeting in our bloggone way some wonderful people. Something that I cherish and I’m glad that they can see me on FB.
I thought about shutting it down and starting a new one. That seems like having another pet to neglect. So I will continue to abuse this one.
I had one of the worst years last year and I shared it with everyone. Yes I shared it to a point that people were fed up. Not one person said that they have heard enough but I know that I am sick of myself and this pity party. My son threw one for himself I joined him and talked about it. THE PARTY IS OVER!!!
Cancer sucks and my sister is still fighting hard. I miss her. We don’t talk like we use to but I still have her thank God.
One of my best friends battled cancer and won! Her husband took a large amount of pain killers, she left him and spent the night here with her kids. He landed in the hospital. Stupid man almost died. So far he is back in church and thankful that he has her and the kids.
My dad is doing well.
My brother,sister-in-law, and niece are wonderful.
My daughter is a ten year old little. Drama and fun happen all at once.
I have a nice home, great kids, and I’m doing just fine. I will say that I miss having a spouse to be with but I want the right man. I want a man that will be faithful to me from beginning to the end. I want a spiritual leader.
I want a man who will love my three legged dog and the kids.
I have been blessed with a great sista friend next door, I call her mom MOM. That’s huge for me no one else can ever be MOM to me but my real MOM. I love her kids. I have to they almost live here. We’ve talked about building a tunnel so that the kids can go in and out without bringing the out in.
God has blessed me with everything but a nice ex-husband and a new man in my life.
I think I needed the closure that my ex-boyfriend gave me when we went out. I needed to say what I said and hear what he had to say. I can’t really think of the life we might have had if he had proposed that December at Utica Square under those twinkly lights because he never did.
It has been a year of reflecting and resigning and resting and I’m sure other R words.
Golly my life is a strange path. Thank God
Friday, April 30, 2010
Life is grand!
Where have I been?
Here and there
I've been taking care of me and the kids
I've been reading
I've been checking on you folks in Blogworld
I have been working on a post or two so who knows I might pop one in soon
Have a great day
Monday, March 15, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Praying that the cancer goes away
CANCER
SUCKS!
So many of the people that I love seem to be touched in one way or another with cancer
Larry's wife-she faces chemo after having a baby
Deanne-cancer is back. The fight is on!
My sister-Sill fighting with a long road ahead
GOD-PRAYER-kICKING THE cancer's BUTT
SUCKS!
So many of the people that I love seem to be touched in one way or another with cancer
Larry's wife-she faces chemo after having a baby
Deanne-cancer is back. The fight is on!
My sister-Sill fighting with a long road ahead
GOD-PRAYER-kICKING THE cancer's BUTT
Friday, March 05, 2010
Wow after more than a year I am seeing the idea that God put into my head at my church.
Oh in no way can I take the credit even though I have been given it.
I’ll explain
Some time ago KB posted cardboard testimonies on his blog. (Correct me Bob if it wasn’t you)
I watched a couple of them on YouTube after that and was so taken by how so much can be conveyed in a so little words. So I had some knowledge of how it worked but hadn’t given it any thought in my church. God speaks to us in some awesome ways. I was at work when women approached me with a large stack of boxes as I rang her up I discovered and was invited to cardboard testimonies. I spoke to my minister about it and how I would like to see it happen at our church. He asked me to head it up. I agreed only my life became a soap opera, really look at this list from then to now:
FRIEND’S CANCER
DIVORCE
DAD’S HEART SURGERY
COURT
SON’S BROKEN HIP
MY KNEE SURGERY
COURT
ALASKA VACATION
SISTER WITH CANCER
SON’S PINS REMOVED
SISTER’S CANCER TREATMENTS
FRIEND BATTLING CANCER AGAIN
(Please pray for them)
As you can see from the list my life has been interesting
Still God is with me.
Cardboard testimonies is going to happen this Sunday!Wednesday night Greg announced that we were doing it and we got several responses. The one that I will forever hold in my heart is my daughter’s CANCER –other side- FIGHTING and a drawing of a fist. She has one about divorce also. I will most likely have to take it on stage for her, she tells me she’s shy.
I’m also putting large pieces of cardboard by the communion tables so that people can write what they have on their hearts. Greg was on the same page with me on hanging the cardboards around the church. And we all agreed on the music, without talking about it those of us involved had the same song in mind.
I love how God works!
If you're in town join us.
I’ll explain
Some time ago KB posted cardboard testimonies on his blog. (Correct me Bob if it wasn’t you)
I watched a couple of them on YouTube after that and was so taken by how so much can be conveyed in a so little words. So I had some knowledge of how it worked but hadn’t given it any thought in my church. God speaks to us in some awesome ways. I was at work when women approached me with a large stack of boxes as I rang her up I discovered and was invited to cardboard testimonies. I spoke to my minister about it and how I would like to see it happen at our church. He asked me to head it up. I agreed only my life became a soap opera, really look at this list from then to now:
FRIEND’S CANCER
DIVORCE
DAD’S HEART SURGERY
COURT
SON’S BROKEN HIP
MY KNEE SURGERY
COURT
ALASKA VACATION
SISTER WITH CANCER
SON’S PINS REMOVED
SISTER’S CANCER TREATMENTS
FRIEND BATTLING CANCER AGAIN
(Please pray for them)
As you can see from the list my life has been interesting
Still God is with me.
Cardboard testimonies is going to happen this Sunday!Wednesday night Greg announced that we were doing it and we got several responses. The one that I will forever hold in my heart is my daughter’s CANCER –other side- FIGHTING and a drawing of a fist. She has one about divorce also. I will most likely have to take it on stage for her, she tells me she’s shy.
I’m also putting large pieces of cardboard by the communion tables so that people can write what they have on their hearts. Greg was on the same page with me on hanging the cardboards around the church. And we all agreed on the music, without talking about it those of us involved had the same song in mind.
I love how God works!
If you're in town join us.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Life is what it is
The last couple of weeks have been stressful where the ex and I are concerned. He seems to want to fight about everything. I’m angry that he pushed my buttons so hard that I flipped. I win at nothing when I lose my temper. I’ve hated the way that he has twisted the truth and flat said things that aren’t true. He wants for me to fall into line, his line and I won’t do it. At one point he yelled “You’re ruining my life.” That made me laugh. I don’t want to be a part of his life at all. I’ve prayed for his marriage. I pray for him. I want to stop fighting. I’m letting my attorney go as soon as all the divorce paperwork is done. No it isn’t yet I waiting on his side.
How do I stand firm?
How do I cope?
GOD
Divorce, broken hip, heart surgery, knee surgery, and cancer
We had a wreck of a year and face more troubles.
My sister hasn’t kicked the cancer yet and my ex still pushes my buttons.
I’ve learned that we actually do teach people how we want to be treated. I’m trying to retrain myself and him. At times I picture a rolled up news paper. :-}
So last night I gave it UP (Rather flung it up) and went to sleep and this morning I woke feeling blessed and happy.
I know how to handle it all now. God spoke to me in my sleep.
I’m also working on being healthy. I eat cactus . . . yes cactus. My joints feel great, I’ve lost more than 11 lbs and I have pep in my step. It’s not all from cactus, I’m eating healthier. I’m going to join a gym when I can afford it. I’d love to take boxing. Honestly.
Okay so my house looks like a disaster most of the time and I have just enough money to squeak by. But I have a home and I have enough money to take care of us.
I also want to go on another date with a nice man. I went a few months ago and it was very nice. When God is ready for me to meet him I will still I’m ready to meet a nice man.
God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
. . . . . So how are you my friends?
Saturday, February 06, 2010
She loved the earth
This is the time when I don’t love being here.
I can smell the flowers
I wish I knew why
I can see his heart breaking . . . so young
The scent of the flowers waft over me
She had a great life in front of her
Good friends
The yellow roses are stunning
The music seems to be dragging . . . I won’t want that
Are those lilies?
I can’t take them . . . they smell great but make me sick
The placement is wrong . . . I hate it
Who loves it?
They can almost touch the . . .
When did things go wrong?
Yes they are lilies. . . I hope they don’t make me sick
The lady next to me knows how they feel, sort of . . . she’s lost . . . a. . .
If my eyes start watering no one will know it’s the lilies
She loved the earth
I would have changed that background
I should have asked if they needed help
I should have gone upstairs
It’s fine no one cares about a background
Those are lovely words about her
The flowers are nice
He looks stunned
I want to hug him I want to hold him
I want to take the pain away . . . he’s a cool kid . . . always happy to see me
She must have known how special her little brother is. . yet. . .
I think the heat coming on is blowing the scent of the flowers to me
In the quiet of the night . . . the pain . . . sets forth the idea . . . of killing the pain
I remember the loss to suicide
I can smell the flowers
I wish I knew why
I can see his heart breaking . . . so young
The scent of the flowers waft over me
She had a great life in front of her
Good friends
The yellow roses are stunning
The music seems to be dragging . . . I won’t want that
Are those lilies?
I can’t take them . . . they smell great but make me sick
The placement is wrong . . . I hate it
Who loves it?
They can almost touch the . . .
When did things go wrong?
Yes they are lilies. . . I hope they don’t make me sick
The lady next to me knows how they feel, sort of . . . she’s lost . . . a. . .
If my eyes start watering no one will know it’s the lilies
She loved the earth
I would have changed that background
I should have asked if they needed help
I should have gone upstairs
It’s fine no one cares about a background
Those are lovely words about her
The flowers are nice
He looks stunned
I want to hug him I want to hold him
I want to take the pain away . . . he’s a cool kid . . . always happy to see me
She must have known how special her little brother is. . yet. . .
I think the heat coming on is blowing the scent of the flowers to me
In the quiet of the night . . . the pain . . . sets forth the idea . . . of killing the pain
I remember the loss to suicide
Sunday, January 10, 2010
A tugging has been in my heart
It’s cold here in Oklahoma, as it has been in most places in the US. A few days ago the temperatures dropped to 16 and lower.
It is just plain cold outside.
When he walked in I knew. There was no question about it. That man is homeless. He stood tall in stature with a backpack hugging his back. I thought it must be a blessing to help keep the wind off his back.
I say that he was tall in stature but as he spoke to me half pleading he must have felt so small in standings.
He rubbed his hands together and blew a cold breath onto them. I wondered if he felt desperation. I wondered if he didn’t wish that his breath would somehow warm all of him.
He lowered his head as he spoke to me but looked at my face.
“No disrespect ma’am but it’s awful cold out there and” he looked to the door “I slept out in that last night.”
I must have looked shocked because what I said next just spilled out.
“Why didn’t you sleep in one of the missions like John 3:16?”
He looked back at me and replied “Missions were all full and as I was saying I mean no disrespect ma’am but I was wondering if I could just stand here to catch my breath.”
I replied “Yes you may.”
He stood to the side to warm up.
Where I work we aren’t allowed to let the homeless wander in the store. I couldn’t send him down for hot coffee. All that I could do was to allow him a warm place to stand for a moment. It’s not that I work for an uncaring company but I work in an area that has a lot of homeless people. Our customers don’t like being asked for money from those who don’t work. Most of the people that come into the store most likely donate to some form of charity so I know that they are caring people. I talk to them I know that one of my guys, who is always going to look to find me helps in a prison ministry and I have many other stories like his. But still we have to be responsible.
He thanked me and left before I was able to send someone for a cup of hot coffee for him.
This morning I was talking to my minister about the man and he said that he had spoken to other ministers about the same issue of overcrowded shelters and using our big empty church buildings for them. Some are open to it many aren’t.
The tugging of our hearts won’t end as long as people will huddle in the freezing temperatures.
Please pray for these men, women, and children
Matthew 25:34-38 (New International Version)
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
It is just plain cold outside.
When he walked in I knew. There was no question about it. That man is homeless. He stood tall in stature with a backpack hugging his back. I thought it must be a blessing to help keep the wind off his back.
I say that he was tall in stature but as he spoke to me half pleading he must have felt so small in standings.
He rubbed his hands together and blew a cold breath onto them. I wondered if he felt desperation. I wondered if he didn’t wish that his breath would somehow warm all of him.
He lowered his head as he spoke to me but looked at my face.
“No disrespect ma’am but it’s awful cold out there and” he looked to the door “I slept out in that last night.”
I must have looked shocked because what I said next just spilled out.
“Why didn’t you sleep in one of the missions like John 3:16?”
He looked back at me and replied “Missions were all full and as I was saying I mean no disrespect ma’am but I was wondering if I could just stand here to catch my breath.”
I replied “Yes you may.”
He stood to the side to warm up.
Where I work we aren’t allowed to let the homeless wander in the store. I couldn’t send him down for hot coffee. All that I could do was to allow him a warm place to stand for a moment. It’s not that I work for an uncaring company but I work in an area that has a lot of homeless people. Our customers don’t like being asked for money from those who don’t work. Most of the people that come into the store most likely donate to some form of charity so I know that they are caring people. I talk to them I know that one of my guys, who is always going to look to find me helps in a prison ministry and I have many other stories like his. But still we have to be responsible.
He thanked me and left before I was able to send someone for a cup of hot coffee for him.
This morning I was talking to my minister about the man and he said that he had spoken to other ministers about the same issue of overcrowded shelters and using our big empty church buildings for them. Some are open to it many aren’t.
The tugging of our hearts won’t end as long as people will huddle in the freezing temperatures.
Please pray for these men, women, and children
Matthew 25:34-38 (New International Version)
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)