frills & funk

James 1: ^{26 -27}Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.

I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend.  Friday morning Darrell and I got up early to take part in a food drop that C3 was sponsoring with Feed the Children.  We headed off and I was praying that we would make an impact in a community that needs a lot of love and support.  The faces we saw are engrained in my memory.  The homeless man who pulled his cart up and the first thing he said was, “I’m so blessed I’m going to share this with my other friends!”  The young boy who at the age of 2 already knew to keep his guard up… skeptical of anyone.  When I asked him if I could hug him he looked shocked and surprised.  I hugged him and his whole face lit up.  This was recurring that day.  Young children… skeptical, guarded and cautious.  It made me sad… it was as if the innocence had been robbed from them.  My new friend who was 8 months pregnant walking in the hot sun about 3-4 miles with her 3 year old son and one year old daughter in a stroller for one box of food.  Kayleigh and I knew we couldn’t let her walk back so we offered to drive her home.  She told us that she woke up early that morning to clean the house and remembered the food drive so she got her kids ready and off they went.  As we drove I realized how far she had walked.  She told us her house was messy… it was small… she had very old, tattered things but it was immaculate!  She took pride in what she had.  I felt so humbled to meet her and talk to her.  She was soft spoken and sweet.  Her children are a blessing to her and she can’t wait to be a mommy again.  Kayleigh and I went back and gave her another box.  We had to.  She had come so far, no car, so dedicated to providing some semblence of a comfortable life for her children.  I asked her if she had a phone for me to contact her… she said no.  I told her that we would love to visit her once the baby is born and she said that would be fine.  I can’t wait to go back and see them again!

My nephew Hayden was there that morning.  I learn so much from that little four year old man!  He is wise beyond his years.  He asked me about another man pulling up in his shopping cart.  He asked me if he lived in his cart.  He noticed his dirty, torn clothes and asked if that was all he had.  He looked at me with concern and said, “but I have lots of clothes.”  He then ran to his mommy and asked if we would be giving him a food present.  She said yes.  He hugged her as tight as he could and said urgently, “mommy, this is the best day of my life!”  It made me thankful that he appreciates things at such a young age.  A foundation is being layed down for him.  I’m so overjoyed by the fact that my nephew and one day my children are being raised in a community of faith that shows what real love is all about.  Perfect love that casts out all fear of the unknown.  Love that goes into the toughest areas of life and longs to meet a need.

Another Hayden story.  Angie wrote of the little girl in the cart.  Hayden asked her if she could come out and play.  Her mommy said no because she had no shoes.  Hayden said, “that’s okay, can I get in the cart then and take a picture with her.”  The eyes of a child knows no prejudice.  To him all he saw was a little girl a bit older than him that he could possibly run around and laugh with.  At what age does that go away?  I love that he met her in her place.  The shopping cart was the place he was able to make a friend.  It reminded me that we need to meet people where they are.  They may not be able to come to us so it is our responsibility to go to them.  All of that from a four year old.  God used Hayden to teach me a lot that day!

I cannot wait until we do this again.  I met some ladies there from the Orlando Union Rescue Mission.  I have been there before but I’m looking forward to calling them and getting a tour soon.  I feel a renewed passion in my life.  There is so much to do…

More weekend stuff later…