It's not working with people that are totally hopeless that gets us down. It's the constant struggle of trying to make ends meet while reaching out to the homeless. We are at any given time, one day away from being homeless ourselves.
One of the hardest things has been empty promises. So many have said they were going to help support the work we are doing, but, never do. It has given us a realization of how we as humans are so unreliable. It makes me think of how God feels when we tell him we'll do something and then not follow through. But, of course, he's God and already knows when we are making promises we won't keep. Yet he continues to love us no matter what.
In fact, God's love is so deep, that it makes this whole struggle worth it. Witnessing first hand the miracles of God is amazing and no matter our earthly struggle, our peace lies in him.
Last night I dropped Wendy off at the laundry mat and went to go change the oil and clean the van. Apparently the old work van is much to dirty for her and the kids to ride in. Since we lost our family van to an accident almost 4 weeks ago they've had to ride in it anytime we need to go somewhere and they decided it was time for a forced intervention.
In fact, God's love is so deep, that it makes this whole struggle worth it. Witnessing first hand the miracles of God is amazing and no matter our earthly struggle, our peace lies in him.
Last night I dropped Wendy off at the laundry mat and went to go change the oil and clean the van. Apparently the old work van is much to dirty for her and the kids to ride in. Since we lost our family van to an accident almost 4 weeks ago they've had to ride in it anytime we need to go somewhere and they decided it was time for a forced intervention.
 |
| Doug (center top, in black) |
As Joel and I were finishing it up at a car wash vacuum station, out of the shadows we heard a voice. No, it wasn't God, it was Doug. One of the guys we've fed on numerous occasions. He was really glad to see us and wondered where we had been. We told him times have been pretty hard and we had to move out of the house we were living in and move into a motel that didn't have a kitchen we could cook in. He was shocked.
He said he'd gotten out of jail a month or so ago and has gone to the park every Saturday morning to see if we were there. When we told him we want to start it back up this week or maybe next week, if we can work it all out. He said "no rush! make sure you take care of you first."
He then said, with heart felt compassion, that he wanted to pray for us because we had helped more people than anyone he'd ever seen before and that God knew it and would bless us for it. He went on and on about how we had helped him and others to the point it was a little embarrassing. So, of course we said we would love his prayers and so that's what we did. Right then, right there, in the parking lot of a gas station car wash, Doug prayed for us. The earnest prayers of this broken, homeless man made me cry.
Yes, sometimes feeding biscuits and gravy and spending time with a bunch of societies rejects seems pointless. However, to often in life we don't see the miracles God is doing in other people because we are focused on the problems we have. Then at the perfect time, in the perfect place, God reveals what he's done. Out of the darkness God brings light.
He said he'd gotten out of jail a month or so ago and has gone to the park every Saturday morning to see if we were there. When we told him we want to start it back up this week or maybe next week, if we can work it all out. He said "no rush! make sure you take care of you first."
He then said, with heart felt compassion, that he wanted to pray for us because we had helped more people than anyone he'd ever seen before and that God knew it and would bless us for it. He went on and on about how we had helped him and others to the point it was a little embarrassing. So, of course we said we would love his prayers and so that's what we did. Right then, right there, in the parking lot of a gas station car wash, Doug prayed for us. The earnest prayers of this broken, homeless man made me cry.
Yes, sometimes feeding biscuits and gravy and spending time with a bunch of societies rejects seems pointless. However, to often in life we don't see the miracles God is doing in other people because we are focused on the problems we have. Then at the perfect time, in the perfect place, God reveals what he's done. Out of the darkness God brings light.
Please pray that God will continue his work in Doug's (and others) life. Please pray that we continue to have the will to fight for this rag tag group of vagabonds for another year.
Jeff and Wendy you are such marvelous gifts to and from the Kingdom of God. This post brought tears to my eyes. May our dear Savior continue to make you more and more fruitful. Love your way, "Pops"
ReplyDelete