My Own Little World

"In my own little world, population ME." That line from a Mathew West song convicted me like nothing has in awhile. Have you heard of this song? If you haven't, I urge you to watch the video. It's amazing.

I've heard it alot over the last month or so and every time I have heard it I feel the Holy Spirit tugging on my heart. It got to the point where I just couldn't listen anymore. I had to act on what I was hearing. That was made easy for me this past Monday when Brian and I took the girls to our church to help with an event to serve homeless men in our community. It's called Room in the Inn. Our church and other churches in the community have helped out with this program for years. In fact we learned that night from the director that they have an annual budget of $2400 to provide food and clothing for these men. That's it. If it wasn't for the help of churches they wouldn't be able to make it.

Our Sunday school class was in charge of this night and my friend Brandi headed it up. We all chipped in for the meal we would provide and for duffel bags with blankets and toiletries for each of the 12 men that would come to the church. They would not only get a hot meal, but they would get a shower, haircut, and a warm place to sleep. Most importantly they would each get their own Bible.

I can tell you that my life has been forever changed by sharing a meal with these men. To be honest, I've always kind of had a bad attitude toward the homeless. Of course I feel sorry for them, but it was kind of like, well I'm sure they're on drugs or have been in jail and they brought it on themselves. They deserve to be where they are. I'm sure that that is the case alot of the times, but shame on me for thinking this way about them. Who am I to judge them?

The man that sat at our table, we'll call him "Mr. J", changed my thinking that night. His story was not one of drug abuse or drinking, but one of sadness. His brother committed suicide and it rocked his world. That's the event that pushed him over the edge, that and the fact that he had lost his job. I got to realize that we are all one step away from that tragedy that could send us to that same place. It can happen to any of us at anytime.

Mr. J went on to tell us that he got saved and baptized last year. He has a job working for the carnival when it's in town. He's doing the best he can and I was honored that he shared his story with us. I was thankful my girls could meet him. Sydney kept saying to me, "Mommy, Mr J doesn't have a home. He really lives on the street? Mommy that's so sad". Yes it is my sweet girl, but what's even sadder is the fact that we just pass him by. We don't do anything to help "the least of these".

Well, no longer. I just can't stand by and watch the pain in the world anymore and pretend that it doesn't exist. I can no longer live in my comfortable home with my girls and let them grow up thinking it's all about them. It's got to change. I'm actually nervous typing this because in my heart I know God is getting ready to do something big and that's scary to me. Maybe you are where I am right now. You know the Lord is calling you out of your comfort zone, but you are too afraid to jump. I want you to know that I am here for you and will take that leap of faith with you.

I will be sharing a way you can get involved in the next few weeks. I don't have all the details worked out, but I know the Lord will help me figure it all out. Until then, I ask that you be in prayer as to how the Lord can use you to help those in need.