God, I drove through what some cities call ‘the district,’
And saw the homeless, the down and out, the dirty,
Standing in doors of bars and cafes, looking out at something I couldn’t see.
And I thought to myself
These are your creations too
You love them as you love me.
When I drove through the rougher neighborhoods
With their little kept houses, motorcycles and souped up cars,
Where people drink and fight at home.
And I thought with an ache in my heart,
God, these are your people too.
As your church we – I – need to be reaching them.
As I walk through my territory
I look at the streets, apartment complexes,
Small homes … family places.
And I think to myself,
Here, too, they love and fight, sometimes in quiet desperation;
Many not knowing they too are your people.
Give me wisdom to know how to put love into action,
To what groups to give financial support,
In what causes to get involved.
I cannot reach everyone personally,
But I can give out pieces of your living Spirit
To anyone, everyone, with whom I come in contact.
Help me not to withdraw into my business like a shell,
When dealing with those different than I,
But always share your warmth and acceptance.
Posted by:
Jo Bower (Randall)
I play piano, write, publish, and struggle with being as good as possible at things I do. My husband has recently went from being a full-time pastor to a full-time hospice chaplain. (Compassionate Care Hospice of Alexandria) Life changed drastically, and I am still in the I can’t believe I really have time for myself stage. I have read everything I can get my hands on and am taking a break from all that has stressed me. God is good and faithful. +
We attend the First United Church of Alexandria and are slowly getting involved with its opportunities for service. Our Sunday School Class is wonderful..
Life has changed again, and we have come full circle, returning to Oklahoma City, Ok where we began our life together. We have a good place to live, family is close, and we are walking new paths physically and spiritually.
Again, God remains faithful and has led us to a church that accepted us and has extended opportunities for us to serve.
My life-long dream is to minister to people I will never meet. And my final goal in life is to be used up. When all is said and done, and I am no longer ‘in charge’ or able to appear in public, I will have given everything I have to give, and be content to let the world come to me.
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