Giving Thanks a New Perspective.

As I was about to board the bus yesterday to go to work. A homeless man came up to me and offered a few coats he had found. As I heard his voice I recognized that this was the same man who I had already talked with a whole bunch in previous times at the busstop. I smiled and asked him if he remembered me and he said yes. I dont remember his name, but he remains in my prayers often. We talked for a while about his daughter and grand-daughter that he goes and visits; he told me he dropped her off at school the other day. As our conversation progressed, he would take a swig of his liquor here and there. I asked him if hes ever thought he could stop drinking. He told me that he had seen others do it but he didnt think he ever could, "Nope!'. The hopelessness in his eyes broke my heart. I encouraged him and told him I would pray for him. We kept talking a bit when all of a sudden he ran onto the road and stuck his middle finger up at a car. It was kinda sad but funny at the same time. Even after the car drove away he just remained there, with a sluggish grin on his face. I asked him why he did that. His response was something like "People always just stare..they never think to just come by and just say hello! hi there! or give a smile, its not hard." ouch- there goes my heart again.

Think about that. How many times have you stared or walked by looking straight ahead in comparison to how many times you have actually taken a few min out of your day to say hello and ask them how they are doing. You know..it makes me angry. It makes me angry that people treat those less fortunate than them like scum on the sidewalk. Yes I understand some of you dont want to give money in fear that they will use it on drugs or alcohol or whatever but regardless could a few min out of your day to say hello and offer a prayer really be such a hard thing to do?

Its thanksgiving and I look at some of the things I have been blessed with. A family who loves me and cares for me even though there is lots of struggles, friends who support me, a relationship with the God of the universe who only does whats best for me, a loyal dog, a guitar to make music, an ipod to listen to music, a whole whackload of clothes, a computer to go on the internet and do assignments to get an education..ha an education.. when I told him I was going to work to make 8$ and hour to pay for my education- he looked at me like even being able to go to work was a blessing. Yes. Yes it is.

At young adults group last night we sang the song "God of Justice". It truly echoed the cry of my heart yesterday and today. Here are the lyrics.

God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served

Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received Now freely we will give

We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go

To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God

You have shown us, what You require
Freely we've received Now freely we will give

Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord

I was given a fresh Perspective yesterday on everything I have to be thankful for.
I did not deserve any of it, the love the freedom and all the blessings God has given me. Grace is being given something we dont deserve and Mercy is when we dont get what we deserve. I have been given both. Freely I've recieved, Now freely I will give.

James 1:17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Can we be people of Grace and Mercy? Will we go live to feed the hungry and stand beside the broken?

Move us into ACTION.

I will go? Will you?