In, Not Of

Last night my husband and I were watching the 10:00 news. It's kind of a thing we do. The house shuts down, essentially, at 9:00, we put dogs in their houses, kids in their beds, dishes in the dishwasher, and lock the doors and windows. Lights out. By 10, we are in the bed and snuggled up to the glow of the bedroom television while the anchors of our local newscast give us the scoop on all of the day's activities. It's a lot of the same lately - foreign affairs, economy, weather changes... and violence.

I believe we have, at least in part, become immune to the kinds of violent acts that take place in war. My kids, the oldest of which is 13, have never known a time when the United States was not actively involved in foreign conflict. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are common to them, and the notion of peace seems almost mystical or imagined. They've seen family members and friends in their BDUs, coming and going, as if it were just part of life. Kids, adults... I guess we've all just gotten used to hearing about how many service members were wounded or killed in a day. The word "death" doesn't illicit the same response it once did.

Last night, while watching the news, the first 3 local stories contained a death, a robbery, and a kidnapping, not necessarily in that order. We barely blinked. It didn't even phase us that in our own city, someone was killed unnecessarily over money, someone was forced to look down the barrel of a gun over her purse while onlookers stood idly by, and a child was taken from her home by a man twice her age for what purpose we can only guess. And at this thought, we didn't even flinch.

I sent my kids off to school today in the usual way. Breakfast, clean clothes, and "have a good day at school!" And I thought to myself, how many moms in the Sandy Hook area did that exact same routine just a couple of months ago, never even entertaining the idea that their precious babies may not come home? Admittedly, I was a little choked up then.

Friends, our world is jacked up. It's straight-up jacked. You do not have to look far to see the ugliness that has, I believe, over time, crept in and made itself comfortable among the beauty. You don't have to really search out dishonesty, greed, and maliciousness. It will find you, if it hasn't already. Statistically, you won't go through your life without being the victim of a crime. It's impossible. Someone will take from you what wasn't theirs to take, will destroy your property, will cause you physical pain, and/or will ruin you emotionally. It's not a matter of if, but when. Statistics are grim. We live in a broken, ugly, messed up, nasty, violent, evil world. Outside of my front door, things are ugly. There is just too much sin in our world to avoid.

But that shouldn't stop me - or anyone else - from going out into it. These people who are broken and lost and messed up, these are the ones that Jesus came for. These are the ones that were so lost that there was no way - absolutely no way - they could save themselves. Psalm 40:2 says, "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." It does not say "I lifted myself out of the slimy pit," but that HE lifted me out. He did for me what I could not do for myself. Jesus came to this jacked up, ugly place to save those who were stuck in that slimy pit of sin, and didn't know what to do to get out. He walked among the sinners, the lepers, the poor, the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the hungry, the ceremonial unclean, the religious zealots, the sick, the unbelievers, and the killers. He washed their feet, he blessed them, he prayed for them, he healed them, and he loved them.

Jesus was born of a woman, but he was otherwise sinless. He was perfectly God, and perfectly human - just jacked up enough to understand the human condition, but just holy enough to know it couldn't keep going this way. He could have stayed shut up in his house, praying constantly, and only surrounding himself with things that were clean and holy. But he didn't. He walked where the sinners walked. He talked with people who spoke evil. He touched those that were considered too filthy to even look at. He wept with those who mourned. He fed the hungry, he healed the sick, and cured the diseased. He didn't minister with words, but with his love. He loved those that were unlovable by anyone else. And he has called us all to do the same.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
Matthew 25:40

We need to go out into the ugly world and make it better. Love God, love people. Give where you can, how you can, and when you can. To put it into perspective, consider this: Jesus Christ hung on a cross, to be mocked and spit upon, pierced and bleeding, with common criminals, in anguish so that you would know what true love looked like. He's only asking you to be generous with your time and money.

Jesus spent time in this ugly world, trying to make it a better place for future generations. He knew sin would always be a part of our human experience, but he also knew that mercy and love were real, powerful forces that could work to combat the sin and ugliness that lurked on this big hunk of rock floating through space. He didn't ask that we succumb to the sinful nature of our flesh, but that we love those who have, and that we understand that no one sin is any more or less sinful than another - because all sin is ugly, and we all have it. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23) All have sinned. All. Every single last one. To completion. All. So, why do we think that it's so beneath us to go out in the trenches where "the sinners are" to serve them? Are they more sinful than us? The Bible says no. Because all sin is ugly, and all sin keeps us from glory. All of it. A little white lie the same as an axe murder.

It all boils down to this: we are all, in God's eyes, on a level playing field. We all sin. We all do things that displease him. But we also all have a capacity for love. And we can show the world who Jesus really is by walking a mile in his shoes, err... sandals. Go where he has gone, do what he has done, love whom he has loved.

Be in the world, not of the world.

Seeing Through a New Lens

Last night, some friends of mine went with me to meet with two very sweet people who have started an organization called Kylie's Prayer.  The group meets with willing volunteers and travels into downtown Houston to deliver gifts of clothes, food, and love to the homeless.  This group has been meeting once a month for the past three years to love on those that society would consider unlovable.  It is a loving gesture that challenges those of us who can meet a need to reach our hands out.

In my effort to Love More, Live More, Give More, and Stress Less, I have felt a pull on my heart to pursue the kinds of activities that not only show the love of Jesus Christ, but put that love into motion.  And so, a few weeks ago, the wheels began to turn in my mind.  I want to give and serve, but I'm not sure how.  And someone mentioned Kylie's Prayer.  I was on board.  And because, at the time, the temperature during the day in downtown Houston was only reaching mid-40s, the idea of making scarves seemed like a fantastic idea.  So, my friends and I got to work.  Each of us brought several yards of fleece and scissors, and off we went - frantically cutting, tying, collecting, bagging scarves of all different colors and patterns to give to our friends in Houston.  We made over 100 scarves in one afternoon!  It was amazing.  What was just a little idea for a few friends in an afternoon became a gathering, that became an idea, that became a calling...

Last night, we handed out several scarves, some shoes, some clothes, blankets, and food.  My husband dug through boxes to find suits for men to attend church.  My oldest son handed out bottles of water.  My middle son gave out snack packs.  My daughter handed out scarves.  My sister-in-law, nephew, and niece gave out provisions.  My friends - over 30 of us - were there to provide "stuff" to make life on the streets a little less uncomfortable.  We felt good about that.

But what those homeless folks gave us was so much more!  First of all, they gave us new perspective.  They were kind and warm, humble and gracious.  They were protective of us.  They were talkative and friendly.  They were people, just like us.  

We met a few men, perhaps around my age, who were desperately seeking suits or slacks to wear to church.  One man told us that he liked to keep at least one decent suit that he could wear to church or a job interview.  It may sound ridiculous, but I just never stopped to think that a homeless person cared much about how he looked.  Or that he cared to go to church.  But once we talked with these sweet people, I knew that they were a lot more like me than I had previously given them credit for.  Though we did not have a suit or slacks in his exact size, he was glad to take a pair of pants too large for him and a belt.  "I'll make it work," he said.

We also met a man named Gary.  Gary was a talkative man.  He shared his story with us.  He was a former Marine.  He'd been in trouble with the law at some point, and was eventually picked up on a warrant.  He told us, "I don't do drugs, but I drink too much."  He grinned.  He said he had been sent to Houston to do time, and once his time was up, he was let go on the streets of Houston, where he had no family.  He had been homeless only 9 days, but it was rough.  He took food, water, a few hygiene items, and a pair of blue jeans.  He smiled at us and said, "God bless y'all.  This is what Jesus would've done.  He would've gone out to be with people and love them."  I couldn't help but tear up.  This man had been humbled by his circumstances, forced to beg to survive.  And yet, here he was blessing us!  He was not only reminding us of the bigger picture, but reminding us of why we serve and who we serve.  Before he left for the night, he gave hugs and handshakes and told us, "I'll pray for y'all, and you pray for Gary."  I promise, I did.

Thankfully I did not see children.  I was prepared with clothes and shoes, but I didn't want to have to give any out.  I think it would've just broken my heart in a way that I might not be able to recover from!  We only met a few women, but I suspect that the majority of the women and children who are homeless were likely in a shelter for the night.

I prayed before I left my house last night.  God, use me to be a blessing to those who don't have what I have.  Don't let Your blessing end with me.  Let it flow through me.  Use me to do Your work.  And let me to leave broken and changed.  Break my heart for what breaks Yours.  Let me see Your children the way You see Your children... as valuable and loved.  He did.

My friends and I have been touched by the love and generosity of those we served alongside last night. But we were also touched by the sweetness of those we came to serve.  We won't forget their faces, or even their names.  But we won't have a chance to, because we will be back next month - with more snacks, more water, more toothbrushes, and more clothes.  We know we can't save the world - or even all of Houston - but we also know we can't do nothing.

If you would like to help - no matter where you live - please contact me.  Don't be discouraged by the overwhelming need.  You can make a difference. 

Don't fail to do something just because you can't do everything.-Bob Pierce, founder WorldVision

More or Less

This time of year is filled with renewal.  I love the idea of resolving to do differently in the coming days what you failed to do in the previous ones.  I love the clean slate idea.  I love being able to start fresh.  But I have struggled over the years to make it out of January with my "resolutions" intact.  This year, I resolve to do differently.  I resolve to be the same me I've always been.  Nope, not changing one little thing about myself.

Instead, I'm changing everything.

I adopted a new motto for myself in 2013:

Love more.  Live more.  Give more.  Stress less.

Easy.  Here's how it works:

Love.

Jesus said that the world would know we are his followers by our love (John 13:35).  This can be difficult to do in a world that tells us to be so careful, to be so confined to our safe place.  In order to love, and love fully, I know I have to be out in the world.  I have to be where people who need love are.  And that can be tricky.  But I also know that I don't have to look too far to find people who need love, either.  Start at home.  I need to show the people I share DNA with, people I share a home with, and people I share a name with the kind of love I would want them to show me.  I need to love them when they're imperfect, when they're difficult to love, when they really don't deserve it.  And then I need to step outside and love my neighbors.  And love my community.  And love my state.  And love my country.  And love the beautiful world God placed me on.  It seems like a lot to ask, but it's easy to love when you break it down one sweet, wonderfully made heart at a time.  Love God, love people.

Ultimately, I want to look back on December 31, 2013 and feel my heart so full of love that it just might bust.  I want to remember the faces of people who needed me, and weren't let down.  I want to find as many opportunities to give love as I can.  I want to forgive those who've trespassed against me, and be forgiven by those I've trespassed against.  I want to show others the love of Jesus Christ by my thought, word, and deed.  I want to hug more.  I want to hold hands more.  I want to love more.

Live.

Anyone who knows me well know that I am far from adventurous.  I don't like risk.  At all.  In fact, I consider public restrooms about as much risk as I am willing to take, and even that is debatable.  I don't like germs, crowds, confined spaces, too much noise, snakes, weird food textures, heights, and any situation that would cause me to be dirty or grimy for extended periods of time.  It's honestly a miracle I'm not a recluse.  And I've often thought that I may be missing out on some wonderful experiences because of all of these things I "don't do."  I've closed myself off from things that would otherwise be fun or valuable because they were too dirty, too noisy, or involved too many people.  And one summer I took a chance and went to Guatemala, where I stood in a soupy, muddy hole, shoulder-to-shoulder with a crowd of dirty Guatemalan strangers, ate "mystery meat", and slept with geckos.  And you know what?  I loved every minute of it.  I was definitely out of my element, and that is exactly where God chose for me to grow.  How could I have missed it?

This year, I want for my knee-jerk reaction to not be an automatic no.  I want to wait and respond to God in a way that is open to His blessing.  I want to think hard about an opportunity, and if I should say no, I want to have a better reason than "I don't want to."  I want to be open and available for experiences that will grow my faith, expand my knowledge, and give me a balanced outlook on God and His creation.  I want to live each day to it's fullest potential - seeing the possibility in every moment to praise God, to Love His children, and to grow my own spirit.

Give.

I think people who are close to me know that I enjoy giving.  I've never really struggled with generosity.  But this year, I want to give beyond what I did before.  In fact, every year I want to give more than I did the year before.  I want to give more money to more things that mean more.  I want to give more of my time.  I want to give more of my effort, my talents, my heart.  I want to invest in the things that bring glory to god, and peace to men.  I want to serve my butt off!  If an opportunity to serve people arises, I want to be the first one in line to roll up my sleeves and get to work.  

My husband and I have been actively giving both of our time and money to an organization that I have referenced many times before - Living Water International (visit them at www.water.cc).  I would love to be more involved with them this year, and be able to share in the amazing life change that takes place when a community is transformed from hopeless to hopeful.  I want to have my thumbprint on a community that moves from desperation, to now having a foundation to be lifted from poverty.  But this year I want to make my mark in communities all over the globe - from Guatemala to Russia, from Richmond to Houston - just loving and serving.

In school I was voted "most likely to save the world."  I remember laughing about it then, but perhaps my classmates saw something in me than that I need to tap into now.  I'm praying that God will renew my giving spirit and maybe I can save the world, one small community and one small effort at a time.

Stress.

I think I was meant to be a diamond.  High pressure is kind of my "normal."  And it's 90% self-imposed.  Everything stresses me out, which makes me worry, which makes me tense, which makes me forget that this life and all of it's troubles are very, very temporary.  I can store up wealth to ease my financial stress right now, but it does little to prepare me for the eternity I am facing.  While I am busy loving, living, and giving, I am storing up riches in heaven.

I want to live this year in a way that shows I am fully and completely confident that these temporary trappings have no hold over me.  I have a card in my journal that I read quite often that says:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. -Matthew 6:25-34

This is God's way of saying, "I got this."  I need to just let Him have it.  Why should I worry?  Why should I stress?  

I hope that all of you who read this will join me on this journey.  It's gonna be a crazy ride.  Some tears, some laughter, and a whole lotta memories I will treasure.  God is gonna do some amazing things this year, and I want to be a part of it...