Friday, November 20, 2015

Hunger



"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in..."--Matthew 25:35



 In the summer of 1983, somewhere on the IU campus, I listened intently as a woman spoke a phrase that would be forever burned into my memory...

 "People aren't just hungry at Thanksgiving and Christmas." She then proceeded to challenge us to set up a program of continued assistance in our communities.

 Each year, her words come back to convict me...

 Red Kettles and Angel Trees tug at our charitable hearts.  Churches and other organizations begin to search for families in need. Wallets open more freely and people began to give, treating that feeling of satisfaction like a hit of an opiate. It just makes you feel good...and, let's face it, in some cases it makes you look good, too. 

 But have you ever thought about what happens in June? What happens when parents who qualify for free breakfast and lunch at school, but not an EBT card, have to start feeding kids 3 meals a day instead of one. Where does the money come from to buy shorts and T-shirts when that winter coat is no longer necessary. Who buys the sandals that replaces the boots. Who buys the $15.00 window fan when the temperature reaches 90°? Who pays for the ball sign-up, or the 3 day bracelets at festival time?

 Who thinks about the other 10 months of the year?

 While I do think it is commendable that the holidays bring about good will toward men, women and children, I also think that we should all endeavor to do something the other months of the year. One person can't do everything, but everyone can do something. Feed someone, clothe someone,  help someone....make it personal. Ask you kids or grandkids if they have a friend whose parents can't afford something that most take for granted. Sponsor a ball player, or a dancer, or a cheerleader.  Offer free weekend babysitting to that young mother who still feels that working is setting the best example for her children.

January-October are not magical months in which all needs are met, and we should not close our eyes for 10 months while patting ourselves on the back for two.

God expects better from us...
 



Monday, August 3, 2015

Vacancy

1 Samuel 16:1
The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."

One of my favorite witticisms is, “Where biology fails, God prevails!” Some of us are lucky enough to have wonderful grandparents, parents and siblings.

Others….not so much.

In my ministry, as well as in my personal life, I have seen the consequences of abuse, neglect, abandonment and rejection. I have seen mothers chose men over their children, fathers walk away from responsibility, and children blame their parents for their own mistakes. I've seen partners who leave without a second thought to the pain they are causing those they leave behind. I have also seen the internal struggle that rages inside those who search themselves for some shortcoming or defect.  The one that makes them unlovable to those who should love them the most.

Let me tell you, it isn’t pretty.

There is a place in the heart that cries out for a love that should be freely given, but is withheld. There is a place in the psyche that tries to create logic from an illogical situation, but fails. And there is a place in the soul that mourns the loss of connection, the loss of affection; the place where self-blame lies.
But why do we mourn? Why do we mourn when God so clearly says, “I have chosen someone else for that position. How long will you mourn what is lost, and ignore what I have ordained to replace it?”
I believe that biological connections are important. I believe knowing from whence you came sheds light on things like genetic predispositions, appearances, quirks and predilections. But it does not necessarily define who your family is. Those you define as family should be those who love you, believe in you and support your dreams. They should be those who meet your need with their ability without condition or resentment. Those who are not only willing to be there for you in your time of need, but do so with a heart that is grateful for the opportunity, expecting nothing in return.

In this passage, God is telling Samuel to let Saul go, stop mourning the loss of him and move on to the person He had chosen to fill the position of King of Israel. God didn’t want Samuel to keep holding on to something that he had already cut loose!

So, today I ask you… how long will you mourn?

And when will you accept the person into your life that God has chosen to fill in the blank…




Friday, May 8, 2015

One of Many First...

After 48 Mother's Days spent together, this Mother's Day will be the first without my Mama. Her passing was bittersweet, I suppose. She was ready, we were not. Her gain became our loss, her healing became our injury.

Her triumph became our tragedy...

 In honor of her, I would like to impart just a smidgen of her wisdom.


  Act like you got some sense.
   (This was a precursor to, "I'm fixin' to jerk you up and have a chill with you!")

  Realize, the only thing worse than a drunken man is a drunken woman.

  Don't go anywhere you can't take your kids, and you won't be anywhere you don't need to be.

 When you lose a good reputation, it's hard to get it back.

  Children eat first.

  Know that you can make it without a man, because no matter what his intentions...life  changes.

 Being called a little idiot isn't always a bad thing, depending on the situation.

 A good mother will kill or die for her children, and face any danger without batting an eye. 

 God will carry you through if you let Him. 

 Don't ask God, "Why me?" Ask yourself, "Why not me?"

 You can help some people so much they forget how to help themselves.

 Quit yelling at your kids. It doesn't help.

 You may have to get a second job.

 Make sure the dog's got plenty water.

 Getcha something to eat.

 Make your bed in the morning. 

 Throw in a load of laundry before you go to work.

 Put a little money back.

 Pay your bills early. 

 Act like a lady, you'll be treated like a lady. (works in reverse, too.)

 And for God's sake, you little idiot, brush that nasty hair, you look like the Bell Witch!


Dorothy Lee Lyle
9-2-1932
5-3-2015