Love Letter to the Homeless

Dear One,

As you sit under that bridge, warming up by the fire you built,

Do you know that He loves you?

 

As you sleep under the stars,

Do you know that He loves you?

 

As you walk the streets, looking for cans and change,

Do you know that He loves you?

 

You may not feel loved, but you are.

He sees your every move

He knows your every thought,

Do you know Him?

 

He has been with you from the moment you were conceived.

He has always been with you, heard every word from you,

He has known your every thought. . .while waiting.

 

His Beloved Son paid the penalty for your sins because of Their great love for you.

Do you know this?

 

You say, “I’m bad, I’m filthy, I’ve done wrong things, I’ve made wrong choices.”

He knows dear one,

His love covers over a multitude of sins.

 

Sins as filthy as rags can be made white as snow.

Do you know this kind of love?

 

People have hurt you?

He can heal you.

 

Wherever you are, there He is also. . .

Waiting, because He loves you so.

 

You say, “I’ve never seen Him.”

When that man bought you lunch, He was there.

When the blanket lady handed you blankets and gave you a hug, He was there,

When that man led you to help, He was there,

When Salvation Army fed you, He was there,

When Red Cross gave you a cup of hot coffee, He was there,

When Hotel, Inc. gave you information you needed, He was there,

When you were given a good diagnosis, He was there.

When Hope House gave you a new pair of shoes, He was there.

When that young man witnessed to you, He was there.

When the nurse took your blood pressure, He was there.

 

When that lady handed you a Bible, He was there.

 

When that man handed you a coat and patted you on the back, He was there.

 

When you think you are alone, you are not, He is there.

 

Dear one,

The streets can be hard

They can make one weary.

Come to Him and He will give you rest.

 

When you open the door of your heart to Him

He will welcome you home.

 

Oh Dear One,

Do you hear the message?

Your Heavenly Father loves you!

Jesus Christ is waiting with His loving arms open to you.

Do you hear Him?  He is saying “Come.”

 

How do I know this? 

I went to him with my filthy rags and opened the door of my heart.

He came and cleansed me white as snow.

He sent me to you.

He says to us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”

 

Dear One,

There is no greater love than this,

That He layed down His life to save another. . .

You and me.

 

But death could not hold its sting

He was raised to win the victory.

 

Oh Dear One,

Do you hear Him?

 

“You are loved!”

 "You are loved!"

 "You are loved!"


 

Grace in the Mess

"I'm not helping good people or bad people. I'm just helping human beings."  anonoymous

 

A group of ladies wanted to help by giving men under the bridge winter clothes and other such stuff.  But when they heard some were drinking and the older one chose to stay there, they pulled their things back and didn't want to help. . .and they didn't.

 

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." Mother Teresa

 

My insides cringed at this.  Do we only help and share the love of Christ with only those who have their "act together".  How many of those are out there even in the church?  Do we only help and love those who have all their issues fixed and addictions cured and sins forgiven.  Are not these the ones who need it most?

 

"By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just entitiled to as we are."  Bonhoeffer

 

I am friends with a registered sex offender. . .a one time felony long ago that he paid for and repented of.  When I met him he was newly homeless and scared and didn't want to tell me for awhile.  We talked for about an hour and then he shared his past.  I didn't react with horror.  I just asked questions and I listened.  I shared about the love of God and forgiveness.  He wasn't sure.  Over the next several months, God began dealing with him and brought a few others to him that began a bible study and then began taking him to church.  I continued to be his friend along with my husband.

 

Love me most when I deserve it least~Swedish proverb

 

Last March my friend rededicated his life to the Lord and has been very faithful ever since.  My husband and I can even see a change in his body language, his demeanor, his face. 

 

What if people had left the minute they knew about him.  Most of them do.  But the few who stayed, God worked through to reach our friend and now he and we know for sure the address of his permanent home. And he is now sharing the good news and love of Christ with others.

 

Grace was shown on a cross on a hill.  Don't you know it was messy? Messy with blood and thorns and the ugliness and mess of sins of the whole world. But our Savior, our Jesus, our Christ, our Lord, stepped into the mess and poured out grace and love.  He didn't turn his back on me and I for one, have been changed. Have you? Are you grateful?  Enough to step into the mess? 

"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work."

Mother Teresa

Dear Lord,
I pray for all who step into the messes whether that be in Africa, under the bridge, or in our own homes. All places are filled with people who need your love and encouragement.  Fill the steppers with strength and courage and love that looks past the mess and sees the beauty of your creation. May you give all these precious ones the discernment and wisdom to know the what, the where and the how and that we may not always know the why but we know the One who does. . . You, and that is enough. May we all just trust and obey and love and leave the rest up to you.
Thank you Father for stepping into the messes.
Thank you for bringing beauty out of the messes.
Thank you for not leaving me in the mess.
In Jesus Name,
Amen 

This was a repost. . .
The man who chose to stay under the bridge. . .moved into his own place a year ago and is still there doing well.

The other one from the beginning of this post went into a rehab in another town over 3 months ago and is still there working it out. I am proud of him.

Dear Teen-Age Self. . .

 I came across this great blog one day and found the author had written a wonderful book for teen girls. . .

 

 

  Her book was written to help young teen girls realize the beauty of God’s grace. She tells them they don't have to be all, do all, appear all. All you need is Jesus, and this book is a gentle reminder to teen girls to rest-rest-rest in Jesus’ love.

 

And so in her blog this day, she asked people to write letters to their teen-age self and tell themselves things, give advice, whatever is on their heart.  Sounded interesting to me, so I gave it a try.

 

 

  

 

Dear Teen-Age Me. . .

Thought I would give you some advice I wish I had heard back then with you. . .SO, better late than never right?

Hear it goes Sweetie,

Don't be scared, fear is from the enemy. God is with you always.

God is bigger than any circumstance.

Don't be afraid to be you.

You don't have to be like everyone else.

Learn to laugh at yourself, it makes life so much easier.

 Appreciate the thick, curly, frizzy hair God gave you. Grown women spend BIG money to get the body of hair God naturally gave you.

And when you blow out those birthday candles with your long pigtails hanging down. . .pull them up before leaning over to blow. Hair torches very quickly and doesn't smell good.

When Mom cuts off your waist length hair into a pixie, don't cry.  Our hair grows really quick.

If people laugh, it's their problem, not yours.

When you grow into the Farrah Fawcett feathers, remember they do not have to be perfect.  Throw on a headband and give the hairspray can a break every now and then.

When you and your friend decide to dress up for costume day at school, just remember you have to take a drivers test right afterwards; no time to change

 

Learn to stand strong on your own and not just when your best friend is beside you.

 

Jesus is with you, you're never alone.

 

You are much stronger than you think, don't forget.

 

Talk to people, they really don't bite.

 

Being sensitive can be a wonderful trait, but beware of it letting you get hurt over the littlest of things.

You can't please everyone all the time.

Your Heavenly Father is pleased with you.  Rest in that fact.
 

Don't stay in the box, get out and do adventuresome things. . .it's way more fun. (I know you dressed as a clown and went to school, but be even more adventuresome than that.

Don't waste your time always wishing for that wonderful, perfect boyfriend.  The right one will come along in God's timing and it will be worth it.

Quit daydreaming about Barry Manilow, he's too old for you.

Don't stop playing the violin.  You'll be sorry that you quit.

When you start writing that short story, don't quit.  Take it out of the trash can and keep writing.  You will be glad you did.

Make more friends.  Know that some are just for a season and some will be for a lifetime.  But make them. The more you have the more fun life is.  

I know you love to read, but read more of a variety of writings.  The Nancy Drew Series is wonderful, but the classics and biographies and others are wonderful too and will expand your mind.  Oh, and when you grow up, Winnie the Pooh will still be a favorite of yours.  He is a classic.

Get more involved in church and community activities.  It will make you stronger and more confident.

Look outside of yourself more and onto others.

Don't covet the curves you see the other girls having.  You are special just the way you are.  Learn that now, because the curves never come. . .and it's ok.

Thank your big sister more for the things she did for you.  She'll be even more awesome later.

The enemy loves to lie in your ear.  Don't ever listen.  Listen to that other voice that whispers in your soul.  And learn to kick the other one to the curb.

You are a daughter of the King; hold your head high and be confident in that.

Don't allow your joy to depend on your circumstances or put your happiness on the shoulders of other people. At some point you will be let down.  Put your joy in the Lord always and you will be just fine.

 

You will become more confident in time.

 

  And when people take your picture, quit kissing the guy and look ahead.

 

 

 

Weigh your decisions on God's Word and not on people's opinions.

I'm sorry to tell you this, but life will have more pains, but you can make it through because You have Him who is greater, He who is bigger, and who loves you more than anything.  He will give you strength and courage when you need it.

Life will also have many joys and because of Him, start counting your blessings early and not just the big ones but the little tiny ones too.  Open your eyes to see ALL of them everyday and thank Him for each one.

Look for the lessons He brings your way and learn from them.

You made the most important decision of your life at the tender age of 12.  I'm so proud of you.  It will carry you through the rest of your life.  He, who died for your sins, will carry you into adulthood and give you a great life.  Don't worry and fret. Look forward to it and enjoy each step of the way.  It only gets better.

You are a great gal hon, keep your chin up, your knees knelt in reverance, hands raised in praise, and eyes on the Lord.  Your gonna be just fine.

You are loved!

From your grown up, more secure self,

Kris

What would you tell your teen age self?

Using My ONE WORD Tonight

My husband is SUCH a dear!  He wanted to help me get started off right this year using my ONE WORD for 2015 which is FUN.  If you want to know why I picked this word, you can read about it here.

I found these in my Christmas stocking last month. . .

 

 

Tonight's the night!

 

I'm thinking of wearing these. How can a girl not have fun in red shoes!

 

 

Someone may even ask me to dance with these babies on.

 

But if not,

 

I'm going to have so much fun

because I'll be out on the town with

my baby, my sweetheart, my hubs.

 

He is so thoughtful. Even when we do nothing, if we're together it's special. After 33 years, I've learned that being with your love is wonderful even if you just sit and do nothing side by side, but throw in a night on the town, something that is rare for us, with lights and music and red shoes. . .

well. . .

you just never know.

 

One Word Fun . . .

Here I come!

 

 

Did you pick a ONE WORD?

Please do share

 

 

 

The Mystery Inside a Purse

You can tell a lot about a woman by her purse.

Age progression shows itself in many ways. Yes, even with purses.

I saw a picture the other day of a little girls purse, it was so cute. Pink with a pink cell (play) phone inside, a pink plastic pony, a plastic necklace and a "my pony" hairbrush. This little girl likes to be a girlie girl, playing with everything pink.

I got to thinking about my purses. The ones I carried as a young mother were BIG, to hold not only my stuff but you would have found boxes of crayons and books and little, plastic dinosaurs ( I had boys). And cars! And books for them to look at and food. This woman is a mother with boys who took whatever would make them happy while out doing whatever. . .mom errands, church, visiting a friend.

Today the boys are grown and she can carry a better, more stylish purse but still big.  You would find in my purse a water bottle, a bottle of Tylenol, a bottle of Pepto-Bismol, Kleenex. . .yes, a purse for the woman sliding down from the top of the hill. . .the one heading towards senior citizenry. Now she carries her medicine cabinet with her. (That's why it's big) If you're ever with me while we're out somewhere and you feel sick. . .I got you covered!

In the next season of my life, senior citizen season, there could be the purse holding a Depend and pictures of grandchildren. Or those fun things you find in grandma purses. . .gum, lifesavers, pen and paper to draw on, change.

 

But no matter what the purse, no matter what season you're in or what purse your carrying, you can always carry a tract to share with others and they make Bibles so thin now they will fit in any purse.

You would be surprised how often I get to pull out that Bible and read a verse. I've even been known to pull out a sandwich or a granola bar because sharing physical food goes well with spiritual food. (remember the dinner that fed 5000? ;)

 

OH, the things you can carry!

What do you carry in your purse?