So sorry that
because of events occurring in my life,
I have been
unable to blog consistently lately.
But as I was
viewing the blogs of some of my friends,
I read the
following.
I asked for
and was granted permission
to share this
with my readers.
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015
Struggling
I've been struggling lately. There. I said it. It's out there. My heart has been pricked and I feel I'm supposed to DO something....but I don't know what that is. Let me start at the beginning....
A friend of mine recently started being the pastor of a local church. He's a part time pastor and the congregation is small. But they are certainly mighty. Their church is involved in a couple very successful local ministries - one being a meal program where they provide a free meal once a week to the poor, lonely, and/or homeless and the other is a clothing "closet" (that is so much more than just clothing - they can get clothes, household items, etc). They also take those plastic grocery bags that we all just throw away or use as trash can liners and weave mats for the homeless. And they give mattresses. He shared with me about a couple who were at one of the meals - a young, unmarried couple. She was obviously pregnant. And they had no vehicle. They walked to the church. And when they walked back "home" then went behind a store to a dumpster....a dumpster they called home.
That has chilled me to the bone. I sit here and look at what I have - the stuff - and yet within 3 miles of me is a couple living in a dumpster.
I'm not wealthy by any means. We don't own a home. I drive a car that is rusting out from under me and will be 20 years old if it makes it to next year. I don't wear designer clothes. I don't carry a designer purse. I have 3 pairs of shoes. I don't own a smart phone or android but use a prepaid cell for emergencies only. We don't go on vacations because we just can't afford them. But I do have a roof over my head. And I do have food on the table. Lord knows I get enough to eat - too much! I sleep in a bed. And 3 miles away from me is a couple living in a dumpster.
I have a craft room full of stamps and paper and markers and embellishments. I have a couple drawers full of yarn. I have a sewing machine. And 3 miles away from me a couple is living in a dumpster.
How is it that we can overlook those who are in such need? How is it that I can overlook those in such need? How can I justify buying one more thing that I don't need when 3 miles away from me a couple is living in a dumpster.
I know I keep saying that....but it has touched a part of my soul that is aching. It has made me realize not only how blessed I am, but how because of that blessing I should be doing something to help those around me. But what can I do? This is my struggle. I don't know what to do. I don't know where to start. What can one person do? But I know that God is calling me to something. I can feel it in my soul.
It's even got me to thinking about this blog. What is it supposed to be? I started off thinking it was a creative outlet for cards. But can it be more? And if so - what is that? I'm not sure where this is going. I guess I just wanted to share my heart and let you know why I have been MIA lately. I'm praying about where to go from here. I'm asking God to show me what He wants me to do. I'm asking Him about this blog too. I'm praying for an answer. Stay tuned.
http://zturley.blogspot.com/2015/07/struggling.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FoNdtUE+%28Joyful+Expressions%29A friend of mine recently started being the pastor of a local church. He's a part time pastor and the congregation is small. But they are certainly mighty. Their church is involved in a couple very successful local ministries - one being a meal program where they provide a free meal once a week to the poor, lonely, and/or homeless and the other is a clothing "closet" (that is so much more than just clothing - they can get clothes, household items, etc). They also take those plastic grocery bags that we all just throw away or use as trash can liners and weave mats for the homeless. And they give mattresses. He shared with me about a couple who were at one of the meals - a young, unmarried couple. She was obviously pregnant. And they had no vehicle. They walked to the church. And when they walked back "home" then went behind a store to a dumpster....a dumpster they called home.
That has chilled me to the bone. I sit here and look at what I have - the stuff - and yet within 3 miles of me is a couple living in a dumpster.
I'm not wealthy by any means. We don't own a home. I drive a car that is rusting out from under me and will be 20 years old if it makes it to next year. I don't wear designer clothes. I don't carry a designer purse. I have 3 pairs of shoes. I don't own a smart phone or android but use a prepaid cell for emergencies only. We don't go on vacations because we just can't afford them. But I do have a roof over my head. And I do have food on the table. Lord knows I get enough to eat - too much! I sleep in a bed. And 3 miles away from me is a couple living in a dumpster.
I have a craft room full of stamps and paper and markers and embellishments. I have a couple drawers full of yarn. I have a sewing machine. And 3 miles away from me a couple is living in a dumpster.
How is it that we can overlook those who are in such need? How is it that I can overlook those in such need? How can I justify buying one more thing that I don't need when 3 miles away from me a couple is living in a dumpster.
I know I keep saying that....but it has touched a part of my soul that is aching. It has made me realize not only how blessed I am, but how because of that blessing I should be doing something to help those around me. But what can I do? This is my struggle. I don't know what to do. I don't know where to start. What can one person do? But I know that God is calling me to something. I can feel it in my soul.
It's even got me to thinking about this blog. What is it supposed to be? I started off thinking it was a creative outlet for cards. But can it be more? And if so - what is that? I'm not sure where this is going. I guess I just wanted to share my heart and let you know why I have been MIA lately. I'm praying about where to go from here. I'm asking God to show me what He wants me to do. I'm asking Him about this blog too. I'm praying for an answer. Stay tuned.
Thanks
Zella for sharing your heart with us.
May it be an inspiration to all of us and
May it be an inspiration to all of us and
remind us
how blessed we are and
that God
does not give us these blessings
to keep
to ourselves,
but to
share with others
as a way
of sharing His love.
Ouch! This hits home. I am going through the opposite of this, thinking about what we do not have rather than being thankful for what we do have. God is really pressing this home to me and it is not nice...at all. Yes we have to be practical when it comes to poverty. We cannot all give money but we can offer friendship. Invitations to come around for a cup of tea, a chat, a meal. We can offer practical help and we can offer prayer. I can tell you from experience that if you do not 'fit in' socially, then life can be quite lonely. Prayer is the obvious first port of call. There must be more than one church in the area so churches pulling together for those in crisis would be another practical step. Finding employment and proper accommodation is obvious but prayer comes first, then friendship. I have often asked why there are homeless people in countries like the USA, U.K. France, Australia, etc. it should not be. So now you have brought it to our attention, what can we do?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Marilyn!
ReplyDeleteTouching post Marilyn. I have an answer for what we can do, but answers come to each of us in a language the Lord makes us to understand. The doing comes from that hearing. I work with the homeless and have seen situation after situation just like this, Prayer, prayer and more prayer and then following the leading!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Ginny
Dearest Mehrll ~ My it is good to visit with you, dear one.
ReplyDeleteI believe the Lord directed me to this very post, thank you for sharing it with us, and thank you to the sweet soul who wrote it and was willing to share her heart.
I too am at a crossroads in my own life and am looking to the Lord for His direction as to where He would have me to minister. I know He has me blogging for His glory, but I believe there is more that is yet to come, something local.
This past year has been quite busy with looking after my parents, and now that my dad has passed away and all has been looked after I am looking to the Lord to use me in the lives of others. I know He will lead, I just have to wait patiently for His leading.
Again, thank you for this timely post.
I pray all is well with you.
Much love and hugs to you ~ Debbie
Ah, a lovely sharing indeed, from Zella, not wonder you wanted to share it .. makes us realise how blessed of the LORD we are and we will pray for this couple for the LORD to bring hem to Himself and be free from the sad life they now lead.
ReplyDeleteHugs dear friend and prayers for you too,
Shaz in Oz.x
{Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}
My, what a post.... My heart was pricked by these words and when I was done reading I paused to look around me and with new eyes, a new perspective, I saw all that God has blessed me with. I, too, am by no means rich, but I have a roof over my head, a vehicle, and food.....what am I doing for others? How am I ministering to those around me? How am I giving back?
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet friend, for sharing this and a big thanks to Zella for sharing her heart. Hugs and blessings to you!