Making a Difference

Been giving a lot of thought lately to living out what I believe. Instead of just pitching for a meeting/s weekly, then not doing anything different during the rest of the week.

While thinking, I opened up a book where I'd written my plan for Serenity Farm, and realized it's still what I'd love to be doing. It combines all that I am passionate about and all that I wish to give into one package, one lifestyle. Perhaps details may change as I grow and learn, but the basics are there.

However, there's no use waiting until I have my property and my structure before helping others.

It's pretty easy to make excuses - I don't have the resources, I haven't formed a base for the plan yet, I can't work with what I have. Which is all nonsense. One can ALWAYS do something, even if it's not the Grand Plan but rather something small and seemingly insignificant to you, but BIG to someone else.

Like taking that homeless guy scratching through the dirtbins for his supper to the nearest restaurant, sitting him down and feeding him until he's eaten enough, hearing his story and just being present. Even if he "smells funny" or is staggeringly drunk.

Or dropping a small note of encouragement into someone's postbox when you see them having a bad day - without adding your name to it.

Mowing the neighbour's lawn while they're out.

Giving the best jacket you have, the one you're wearing, to the street kid shivering outside your car window.

There's plenty out there to do, so many ways to make a difference. But we spend our time going to church and then asking any beggers to leave us alone as we step out the door.

I was in the mall on Friday afternoon, chatting to two folk, when a lady came by to ask for cash help. They turned to her and told her to get lost and leave them alone, without even hearing what she was asking. It's rare for a begger to frequent the mall - perhaps this lady was very much in need. We looked affluent enough, flashing our wallets around and carrying bags of groceries.

After she left I beat myself up for not stopping her and asking what I could do to help her. You know that saying of "angels in disguise"? Could this be a test of faith that we'd all just failed?

I know there are those who would take a gap and bleed you dry if you let them - but there are many who are in genuine need of help, whether it be financial, spiritual, emotional, or even something as small as a smile, a hug, a touch to say "hey, I see you, and you matter".

I want to be more aware of my fellow God-created humans. I want to give generously and not horde. I want to say Yes when God says Now. Without judging, without questioning, without hesitating. I'm working on it, but it isn't easy.