photo: © lculig – Fotolia.com
prompt: care
Do you care for the poor and disenfranchised?
I thought I did.
I’m the one who seems to notice the person who is on the edges of a group.
The one who doesn’t quite fit in.
Who can’t find her way.
I’ve been there.
I know how it feels.
I’m brassy enough to ask for help.
But not everyone is.
But as I listened to Sarah* on Wednesday night,
I realized I am not often with the economically poor or disenfranchised very often.
I am with people who have many struggles and painful problems. STOP
But they may not technically be considered to be poor.
Of course, the definition of poor is also stood on its head a bit.
It is not simply defined in terms of dollars and cents.
Poverty comes in many ways.
There is poverty of being, community, stewardship and/or spiritual intimacy.**
Because we each suffer from poverty in some area of life,
We don’t need to be patronizing when we come to help those who are suffering from
Economic poverty that has affected their community for years.
Because we realize that our own poverty needs to be dealt with just as theirs does.
As we come together and walk alongside each other to deal with the problems
In the community, we can have the grace to listen.
To hear the strengths of their community.
To listen for where GOD has already been present.
To watch for the leaders who are already functioning there.
Then we can work together to see what GOD can do as we work together…
Realizing that just as the problems didn’t develop overnight
So they won’t be resolved overnight.
It will take perseverence, working together, creativity…
And the grace of GOD to solve problems and work through solutions!
*The staff member at Southwood Presbyterian Church responsible for community development.
**As described in the book When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor and Yourself by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert
Loved this post
thanks lindi:) glad you stopped by. after i wrote it, it sounded less heart and more head…but i decided to leave it and later i’ll write one that more heart-y. not sure i’m as full of heart right now as i need to be.
maybe i’m like the father in Mark 9:29-30: 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
the fact that he bro’t the child to Jesus showed he had faith…but there is always a place of unbelief that needs the ministry of the Spirit to us isn’t there?
I find that in this area of my life. i want to do more. i want to help more. i see the need. but how to do it and how to best help and meet the needs of family as well? there is the rub. fortunately, GOD is working this out in me and has me surrounded with people who will continue to goad me. that is a good thing:)
So much truth in your post!
Blessings from a fellow FMFer.
Andrea
thanks for stopping by andrea:) so nice to meet you!
I followed you on FMF today! It’s true, we see so many charities and missionary workers and while I don’t disagree with there work in the least i do struggle a bit with the “charity begins at home”. In the US they still have people living in poor conditions from hurricane Katrina wiping out parts of New Orleans, people who can’t rebuilt because of insurance etc, yet we can all gather together and build a community center in a different country by raising funds for a week. There is a lot of push and shove in this area and I think a lot of people, on each end feel like they are not cared for, don’t deserve it or can’t give enough. Through sharing our love for the Biblical teachings we are learning how to help through the grace and mercy of LOVE.
i think there is a place for each of the things GOD Has for us to do. He calls some to go overseas. but if we are local, we need to be reaching out locally in our communities, not isolating ourselves into places where we are comfortable. often, i personally need help from others, like sarah, and the book she has shared with us, on HOW to do that in ways that are truly helpful!
often, we like to specialize and concentrate in one area…only local or only overseas and GOD is often calling us to help both in different ways. local involvement locally wherever we live. giving and prayer support to those we know and love overseas and locally. there is no heirarchy of one being more spiritual than the other. all are ministry in GOD’s kingdom for His glory.
thanks for stopping here marisa:)