My walk with Michael began in September 2012 at our Homeless Outreach. Michael was struggling with addiction, trying to find work and sharing a tent with a friend.
He began attending AA meetings and working the 12 Steps of Recovery. Through AA, he met his current wife. I lost touch with him over the summer which caused me great concern. Just last week he dropped by HOTEL, INC. to see me; a wonderful surprise. I could tell things were going well for him. He had put on some much needed weight and had a big smile on his face. Mike wanted to share with me how much God had blessed him over the past year. He, his wife and stepson, now own a small farm in the country. They are both working full time and she is also a student at WKU.
He began attending AA meetings and working the 12 Steps of Recovery. Through AA, he met his current wife. I lost touch with him over the summer which caused me great concern. Just last week he dropped by HOTEL, INC. to see me; a wonderful surprise. I could tell things were going well for him. He had put on some much needed weight and had a big smile on his face. Mike wanted to share with me how much God had blessed him over the past year. He, his wife and stepson, now own a small farm in the country. They are both working full time and she is also a student at WKU.
He shared how at the Homeless Outreach, he saw the goodness of people; people emulating Christ to him and others. He said, "I began to try to emulate that in my life to others and God began to pour out an over abundance of blessings. The blessing of a family, jobs, homeownership, recovery. . .he shared how he is overwhelmed each morning with how his life has changed in the past year. Mike and his wife own a small mobile home in town and he asked me if I knew someone he could offer this home to while they were getting on their feet again. Today, someone who would have been homeless is living in the mobile home. Mike left by saying, "Who knew-from homeless to homeowner in a year!!!"
Emulating Christ. . .the words rang in my ears. As director of HOTEL, INC, I am so blessed to see this daily through our volunteers, staff, and many of our clients.
Rhondell
This is one of the reasons we do what we do. We are to share the love of Christ with whoever God puts in our path. And when one makes it, succeeds in getting his life back, we rejoice! And we continue to love on the others and let the Lord do His work. It can be hard, it can be frustrating at times, and we get weary at times. We are weak but HE is strong. It can be a learning experience for us which just makes us stronger in many ways . . .stronger in grace. . .something we all need to experience and this is experienced at the bridge and it can make a difference and that makes it all worthwhile. When we were thirsty, we were given grace. We should not withhold it from those who still thirst. Why do I and the others do this? Because Someone came down and gave us that ever quenching gift and never let us go. There there are those out there who need this touch, this drink of Grace.
GRACE
Grace throws parties for returning prodigals without saying a word about their sins.
Grace pays everybody the same regardless of what time of day they began to work.
Grace restores dignity to whores that everybody else wants to stone.
Grace hugs the diseased leper (or aids patient) that nobody else wants to touch.
Grace hugs the diseased leper (or aids patient) that nobody else wants to touch.
Grace looks past a person's behavior and sees the person for who they are in the eyes of God.
Grace is irrational to the thinker.
It is unfair to the judge.
Grace is foolishness to the achiever.
It is a waste to the selfish.
Grace is a mistake to the disciplinarian.
It is a shame to the religionist.
But it is a stream of water to the thirsty.
It's freedom to the imprisoned.
It is life to the dead.
Grace is rest for the tired.
It is another chance to the failed.
It is hope to the despondent.
It is a way out for the lost and a way in for those who can see the door.
Grace. It's not a theological premise.
It's not a doctrine.
It's not a philosophy.
It's not something to be balanced with anything else.
It's not even the most important thing.
It's the ONE THING - The Only Thing.
It's a Person-a Person who has held you in His heart before the first molecule existed and One who will never let you go.
Fielding GoHarvest
That's why.
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6 comments:
I think it's just awesome how God blesses us each day.. His Grace and Love is so abundant>... I think what you are doing in helping the homeless is a wonderful and a awesome thing to do..God I'm sure is pleased and saying "Great Job good and faithful servant".. Keep up the Good Work~!
Have a blessed day~! ta ta for now from Iowa:)
Not all are called to do what you are doing, but each of us must work the work that God asks of us. May you be blessed as you minister to those you reach out to who need grace and acceptance and love shown so that they can in turn reach out to Jesus. Thank you for sharing with us here at "Tell Me a Story."
Thank you Ms. Iowa! Blessings to you too.
Ms. Hazel, You are so right, not all are called to this ministry or to any other. Each needs to go where the Lord leads and share love and grace with all we come in contact with. And may HE be honored and glorified. Thank you for coming by.
Dear Kristin
Oh yes, grace is definitely not something we can formulate into anything logical like a religious doctrine or rule or creed. Grace is alive and actually summed upin the person of our resurrected Lord Jesus! Great post.
Blessings XX
Mia
You have a heart for the homeless and the "lost" who are buried in alcohol or other body-feeders that keep them away from the every-day sorrow, frustration.
AND Grace is all we can ever count on and pass around and along with/for those who need it desperately.
YOU are a treat!
Yup! Grace Gluttons.
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