Rushed, Busy, Tired, Broke...BUT Ready, Willing, Content, and Rich

I love my city! I really do! I can not say there is many reasons not to like the neighborhood or people that I live by. I am constantly reminded of God's power and love for His people when I am surrounded by others that are seeking "better" things. To clarify- I see and talk to many people that are so busy they just want to feel peace and have rest. I talk to many others that have huge issues in their lives that they are battling and desiring to see change come quickly. Okay so before I get on my high horse about the love I have for these people I will share just a couple stories that have happened over the last month.

I continue to go to this coffee shop that is filled with diversity in every area you can think of: culture, social, ethnicity, political... and I go there and can talk to everyone. I usually now everyone at every table. One table is full of the AA people that are doing so great in their sobriety. These young individuals know there is a higher calling to their lives and are continuing to seek that out! I was talking to this couple that is gay and the women are so social and open about their lives with me it blows me away. The one woman is having problems with her ex husband. She is having difficulty with the day care situation with her two children. She is a full time student and is trying to make ends meet. I was overcome with love for these women while I was listening to them talk. I have to talked to them numerous of times but something clicked tonight. I could help babysit when I had time off! So maybe some people would think I shouldn't either because of political stances or because I am just a casual friend of the coffee shop, BUT the Lord desires to share His PERFECT love to these people and I desire to a vessel of His love and redemption. I pray that I will have time to help her out some time soon. I write this not to toot my horn- because, frankly, I can not boast at all- my heart is not pure and doesn't see the needs of people, no it is by the Lord's loving grace that He grants me to see and pursue the needs of the people in this city.

Building relationships with people of all sorts is a good way to show the unrelenting love and relationship that Christ desires to have with His creation. Okay well I will stop preaching it...that is not my intent to write a sermon, maybe just to release ideas for you in your city and the places the Lord has put you in.

The other day I was driving home from work and I saw a homeless lady. The strange thing about this situation was the homeless women was not on a street were you would normally see a homeless person asking for food or something. No this was in the suburbs on a less busy street. I looked for my bags of chips and drinks I usually have stalked in my trunk but realized I had ran out, so I shrugged and continued on my way. I had to get going to a meeting and had to grab dinner quick but I did a U turn and rolled my window done. I asked her if she was hungry and wanted some McDonalds. She was so excited and ran over to the McDonalds before I could even make it over. There in the building I talked to her about her life as she ate her chicken nuggets. She is a single mother of two and was in the area because of two job interviews. She showed me a picture of her tow children- I wrote their names down some place but can't find them for this post. I left McDonalds more stuffed then if I would have ate! The Lord desires to bless us in serving others. It always amazes me how when we serve we are the ones who recieves the most blessing.

-Just a tid bit of info- with winter coming soon, it is a great idea if you desire to help the homeless to buy some gloves and some non perishables and put them in your car to give to those on the corners with signs. It truly makes their week! I know I have talked to them and they truly are blessed. You may think they get alot especially during the rushes of lunch hours or leaving work hours but the reality is they normally don't. Ten dollars can go a far way.... just think 3 mochas could end up buying couple pairs of gloves, a stocking hat, pringles, and some sanitize lotion.

Hope you are encouraged today of how the Lord keeps pursuing His city. Be blessed and may you know that Christ is seeking to bring you joy and contentment to your struggles. Invite Him into your everyday issues-even those you don't think are that big of a deal and be ready to be blown away as you rest in His loving and faithful arms!