I am trying not to be annoyed this morning. I am trying very hard to accept that what the Lord puts on my heart is not necessarily what the Lord puts on others hearts. I am trying to figure out why others do not have the heart to provide when it is needed in any way they can. Quite bluntly, I am disappointed that people I know do not have the same heart as I do right now. know that what I am about to write is going to strike a nerve in some folks. I hope it does to the point of stirring them to action.
I have a heart for people without and I have an even greater heart for people and the organizations they run when they are making a God-changing impact on children. I have a heart for Common Ground Montgomery. There are few out there that do not see the need for change within our youth. A change from a cycle of poverty and racism to one of prosperity and love for all. Yet, often we just comment on it and move on with our daily, self-focused lives. The folks at Common Ground have not just kept going, they have up-rooted rather comfortable, worldly lives to live where God wants them...right in the heart of poverty, violence, drugs and a great need for Jesus.
Not only are they running programs at the Common Ground buildings, they minister nearly 24 hours a day to the kids in their homes by being part of the community. They are not like me...I go and serve and retreat to my comfortable surroundings within my safe neighborhood. Our family has not felt the calling to live in that community, but we can certainly do all that we can to support those who are there.
God is so present at Common Ground! When you meet a person who works or volunteers there you just feel Him. When you walk through the front doors you know He is there. He is working over there! Kids are learning about Christ and what it means to walk in His ways, not the tough street's ways where they live. Young ladies are learning that to be pure is honorable in His eyes. Youth are learning that learning and working to earn their way is how He wants them to live. Jesus is working through the staff and volunteers to turn one child at a time towards Him and away from poverty and the world's evils that lurk on those streets.
Because the staff lives there and is part of the community, that impact is going beyond the children into whole families.
So, why am I so annoyed? I am annoyed because tomorrow night Common Ground is hosting an end of summer camp program. The program is an opportunity for the campers to show their parents and neighbors what they learned this summer. It is a chance for the community to enjoy some fellowship and feel God...just by being there. It is an opportunity for children who are not part of the program to learn more and sign up for the fall programs. I have taken on coordinating the food for tomorrow night. It's a simple but welcoming meal that will hopefully put everyone at ease and allow them to enjoy the evening.
Thankfully, another Common Ground volunteer has been quite successful in getting others to donate either food or money. I, on the other hand,am striking out. A couple of friends have stepped up to generously provide. But out of a rather lengthy list, and two Facebook requests, three friends offering support is pretty lame.
So, this is why I am so annoyed. I know these people, be it not all of them very well. The ones I know the best are the very ones providing. But, I know the others well enough to know that at the very least they can donate ten bucks to the cause. And yet, none have.
We can all talk about wanting to be God-honoring, thanking Him for our blessings, asking Him for more, but when we cannot even take five minutes to scribble out a check for $10 to feed a community not just hungry for food but for Jesus Himself, we have lost focus on what is truly important.
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