Reality Checks, Guilty, And Blessed!

Last night, the NorthField Church and the Madison Church of Christ Youth went to the Nashville Rescue Mission to lead a worship service and hand out refreshments. If you live in Nashville and have never taken part in serving at the Mission, I think you should put that on your bucket list of things to do. Trust me, you will be blessed more than words can say. The men who reside there have had things happen in their lives that I can't even fathom. To listen to their stories...well, it just pretty much puts everything in perspective of how I have NO problems. If you're reading this blog, I'm pretty sure YOU have no problems compared to these guys. We all have times where we whine and complain, and wallow in our self pity. When those times happen to me, I need to visit the Mission every single time to get a reality check. These people end up at the Mission when all hope is lost. They have nowhere else to go, nowhere else to turn. They are at the end of their rope and ALONE. The Mission helps people get back on their feet, and most importantly, "the mission" is to teach them about the Lord. I find it ironic that I can hang out with every day Christians who have good jobs, a roof over their heads, and have anything money can buy...and sometimes in my conversation, there is never one mention of God. I can talk to these guys at the Mission and many of them?? God is all they want to talk about, and they praise Him for bringing them to where they are today. Why?? Because God is all they have. I'd rather spend my time in a group of people like that than with Christians who are focused on earthly things. Sometimes, I think God needs to bring Christians to the end of our ropes, and maybe, just maybe, we would get God when He is all we have left. These men at the Mission bless me more than they will ever know!

On another note, as I was leaving the Mission last night, I saw something that hit me hard, and I can't get the image out of my mind. Coming from a small town, I never remember seeing homeless people on the street. Even the poorest of poor people in town had a roof over their heads, even if it was a shack, it was still a place to get out of the cold. I never saw anyone living on the street. Living in a city, I've witnessed several things that I never saw or dealt with in a small town. I have no idea how cold it was last night, but it was COLD, and as we were leaving, we saw someone sitting in a doorway to a store. They were sitting on the cold ground with a coat on, a hood pulled over their head where you could not see their face, arms folded just trying to keep warm. My heart broke at the sight of this image. These are images I only see on TV, not first hand, not up close and personal. Just another reality check smacking me in the face. It made me hang my head in shame thinking of all I have. I think about all the stuff we are wasting money on during this Christmas season, and then I see an image like that, an image of someone who has nothing...no bed or roof over head, not even a pillow or blanket. It makes me feel guilty for the things that I have, it makes me feel guilty for the things that I take for granted, it makes me feel guilty for the life that I live. Even on my worst day, it does not compare to what so many deal with every single day. The difference in my life and those lives on the street is, my days get better. For that guy I saw on the street? It may never get better. Oh Father God, help us to be more thankful for all you've given us, and may we start sharing our wealth on the things for your kingdom instead of "stuff" we just don't need! Help us to be Jesus to people who need help. Please, be mindful while you're Christmas shopping of those who are not celebrating Christmas the way we do. Please, please find a charity to donate your time and/or money to. You will be blessed far above anything money can buy. And please, take time today and every day to thank God for ALL that you have. God Bless!!