If you are a skimmer, what ever you do — DO NOT SKIP THE LETTERS IN RED.
God’s beginning to cut me and mutinize my complacent heart. I can feel it and I’m wondering what this moulding process will entail. The cutting away process is never fun!
Adjusting to my 7 foods is definitely helping to adjust my heart. I see waste and greed everywhere. It protrudes out of my own refrigerator, pantry, and fruit bowl.
I have so stinkin’ much food! So much I look right past a refrigerator full and openly declare “there’s nothing to eat in this house!”
My own waste is nauseating me. It’s just too much that I let veggies grow hair and turn to liquid in the refrigerator! Why?
My heart wandered to my friends out on the streets and I found myself wondering how they even know where their next meal is coming from. While my emotions were stirring, I knew I needed to know more.
I sent an email over to a brother who was homeless for three years asking,
what was it like on the streets? what did you eat? were others kind in providing? how did you learn where you could get food?
About three years ago I became homeless. Doesn’t matter why I became homeless, because homeless people are branded with society’s perception. On the streets it’s all about survival and of course one of the top prorities is food. The only way I know to get across what this entails is to give you a day in the life of a homeless person in downtown Houston.
I wake up at 6:00 am and promtly get up and put my bedding up. Then I walk clear across downtown Houston to get food every morning except Sundays. Seems like folks figure the homeless don’t get hungry on Sundays because you hardly see anyone show up to feed. This particular ministry brings hot coffee and pastries very good on a cold morning with an empty stomache. Be careful though, the pastries are donated and mold is common.
There were options in Houston. For lunch you could either go to a place called Loaves and Fishes (I think every city has one of those) or 4 days a week go to the Beacon. You won’t be lonely because 700 other people go so you usally wait for at least 2 hours if your not first in line, that’s tough to do though because folks start lining up abpout 2:00 am. There is never any telling what will be served at Loaves and Fishes. It is ususally something with a lot of pasta and juice and very little meat. During the summer months, which is about 6 months out of the year in Houston, it is so hot that I very rarely had an appetite for lunch. For dinner it was a little tougher. There were a couple of folks that would come out but it was very limited and once again you’d have a hour to hour and a half wait for a bowl of spaghetti or soup. There are places that hand out sanwiches and snacks, things of that sort so really if you go hungry it’s your own fault or you just don’t know where to go yet.
It broke my heart to see people go hungry. So when I was making the rounds each day, I would stock up and fill my back pack up with as much as I could carry. Then when I ran across a “new face” or somebody just getting out of jail or anyone that hadn’t got anything to eat that day I had stuff for them. I never went to sleep with much in my pack. There was always somebody that needed food.
I have since moved to Corpus Christi, Tx and the situation is much worse here. They only have one place that feeds regularly and it just shut it’s doors on the week-ends. There is not near the folks coming out and feeding like in Houston. When they do they come out once a week or once a month. Sad very sad that a nation that throws away so much can’t even feed thier homeless. And you wonder why that guy is digging in the dumpster.
My heart is still heavy with my friends truthful words. His words resonate through my soul, while I ponder the fact that I show up once or twice a month and think “I’ve done my part.” What the sam-hill is “my part?” (hear me tearfully screaming)
I need you to tell me what “my part” “your part” “anybody’s part” looks like. Reader, I need your helpful hints, thoughts, and direction! How can we make a difference?
I didn’t say, how can our church make a difference. I’m not asking for 501c3 help. I’m saying, how can you and I (you know the ones sitting all fat and happy with scads of food within an arms reach) make a difference?
While I ponder my Spirit is softly reminded of this scripture from the Lord in Isaiah 58:
‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.
‘Why aren’t you impressed?
We have been very hard on ourselves,
and you don’t even notice it!’
“I will tell you why!” he responds.
“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.
Even while you fast,
you keep oppressing your workers.
What good is fasting
when you keep on fighting and quarreling?
This kind of fasting
will never get you anywhere with me.
You humble yourselves
by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads
like reeds bending in the wind.
You dress in burlap
and cover yourselves with ashes.
Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please the Lord?
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
Shaking my fists at Summer of 7 “you are totally messin’ me up!”
Why did I get you into this, Alene?! I know it was God, but I am just sitting here broken and bewildered by those words, wondering what the sam-hill is my part, wondering how I can get away from this conviction, wondering what to do next . . .go pour another cup of coffee? Finish getting dressed for my yoga workout? Troll Facebook for something funny to purge my mind of this image? My arms feel numb with what to type next . . .I don’t live in the city, but I feel like I can’t do nothing.
While I wanted God to reveal himself, He surely is doing it in a way that has me asking more questions! My part, my part, my part — why does Isaiah 58 have to be about part of my life — WHY IS IT NOT THE SUM TOTAL OF MY LIFE!!! Mercy – I gotta breathe.
I am with Katrina in that we don’t live in a city where there are homeless. But there are homeless here. I just encountered one lady not 3 miles from me on Sunday. I gave her all the cash I had but I kept thinking what is the right thing to do here?? Exactly where you are. What does it look like for a follower of Christ to take care of the people around me?
Those first sentences didn’t make much sense..I meant a lot of homeless are not here. I visited Austin, TX and homeless was everywhere. Just not like that here. I know there are groups around here though that live off the Interstate in places but you just don’t see them much.
But if you look at the whole package of Isaiah 58 there’s more than just feeding the homeless — Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
Heaven’s relooking at this – it can’t just be part of me – it has to be a way of life or this would just seem OVERBEARABLE! One thing I’ve learned while being on the inner city is that they are not the only ones hurting. Walk in to any church and the same hurts and needs are there just most of the time they aren’t comfortable sharing their brokenness or neediness.
Giving cash to that lady is awesome. In my ebook Giving Up Normal I talk about keeping a stash of $5 gift cards to bless others with if they are in need and cash just doesn’t seem right.
I love that you helped her. Love your encouragement.
What is my part?!?! – that is the question I’m asking myself as well. And I’m finding myself looking for an answer that is easily within my power, something that is doable for me, something that is within my comfort zone — but I’m realizing that maybe my part won’t be easy or comfortable. Oh my heart is such a mess!
I’ve been out of town today and I come back with those same questions ringing in my ears, Jamie! For some reason, I’m sure it is out of my comfort zone . . . maybe that is why I balk and hold my thoughts way too tightly in a place they are most comfortable. Glad you are journeying with me . . .
What is our part? What is My part?
Ever since I became a sponsor with Compassion and joined the live58.org initiative, I have been thinking about that very thing.
Our world has a serious, Serious distribution problem when it comes to food.
Last weekend as we cut our grass in our backyard (again), it got me thinking. We have this huge grassed backyard and if I’m honest, we don’t use it. At all. The only time I’m there is to cut the grass. There are many, many, beautiful parks where I live and we make use of them.
And we are not the odd ones out. Most everyone in town has a lawn and I never see anyone using them.
Our ancestors would laugh so hard they would fall out of their chair. All that wasted space and time and resources to have pretty grass.
What if instead, we all filled our yards with gardens, not grass, and used that food. And shared what we didn’t use or even planted extra on purpose, to share.
How much more food could then be exported. And how much healthier would we be with our own fresh food.
But it’s easier to run to the store and buy a head of lettuce.
We haven’t taken the plunge yet, but I have a feeling my beautiful grass might be raised beds by fall.
I really enjoyed this post, Alene. Thank you.
Penny – I love this and your honesty and your ideas . . . raised beds making that yard useful for yourself and others! wow
Girl – our society has serious problems in a lot of areas. We waste much. We consume more. We buy bigger. We consume the “big gulp.” We are selfish and greedy as a whole – always looking to the next “big fix.” And that just describes ME!!! ouch. ouch. ouch.
I can’t wait to hear about your adventure as you take the plunge! And you are so right, our ancestors would question much of what the world is now. Oh for a simpler time . . .
I don’t think we can ever do ENOUGH. But, as long as we do what we can…If EVERYONE did what they could, then maybe it would be enough.
I always wonder when I see homeless why they don’t have someone to love them, take them in, etc. Where is there family and friends, are they completely alone? It is a sad thing…
Lisa, most don’t feel loved nor that they are capable of love. My heart beats where does yours! To love them is to love Christ.
LOVE where your mind is! I love it! I have fed before on the streets. searching for homeless people is not hard in virginia beach. just stalk the day centers and the bus stops. Once we handed out over 200 sandwiches, fresh oranges my Mom brought to me from Fl, waters with electrolyte powder (relocated from my Hubbie’s job) and Chips. Peanut butter and jelly was not a fav…they get too much! EGG salad was a hit. Homeless tend to shy from pastry/sweets. many are diabetics or have bad teeth and don’t want the sugar. My dream is to start a ministry called the Good Egg Ministry. that offers Egg Salad sandwiches and healthy options to our homeless. Sadly many of the local agency managers told me not to FEED the homeless. Mostly because it keeps them from going where they need help. I was shocked by that statement. Hunger is hunger. no matter what line you are sitting in!
Tracy – you have no idea how your comment here was an answer to a prayer. Blessings friend – may God continue to use and bless you as you bless many others. You are a girl with a heart like mine. Love your thought for your ministry. May I ask, what is holding you back from starting your ministry? I would also say, I think that you are already doing that ministry. Love it!
Alene, love this! I so ask myself that question, too. What is it you want me to do God? I pray that he continues to show us and we have the courage to act on it!
Girl – I’m digging in like never before. First He is showing me it’s all about HIM. I can chase a calling or ministry, but if HE isn’t number ONE then all is for naught. Praying courage for both of us.
It’s extremely frustrating, isn’t it? I’ve worked in social services for many years, and the stories just sadden me. It’s amazing what some people go through, yet most of us have no idea. Or maybe we’re not paying attention? I’m not sure. I think we have to start with doing simple good deeds every day. A little generosity can go a long way.
Thankful you stopped by Jennifer — oh my it can be so frustrating. I feel like a very little fish in a great big sea. I look around and my little efforts almost seem meaningless. Lord give us all strength to keep on keepin’ on. blessings friend!