This Advent was special. The kids I teach at our cooperative and the kids in our homeschool group, helped me make blessing bags for the poor. We made alot of bags. I took some to the Silence of Mary Home in Harrisburg, and a couple of weeks ago, as Advent was winding down, Fred and I went to drop some off at the Frederick Rescue Mission. It was closed, and not wanting to forget to return, we looked for someone nearby in need.
In minutes we found a homeless couple. We passed on some blessing bags and they were grateful. We also started talking to them. They mentioned they could no longer stay at the abandoned building they had been at and were getting a ride out of town that afternoon. We got in the car and the plan was to go shopping but mostly for the rest of the afternoon, we just spoke about Joe and Jen. We wondered how they got there. We shook our heads at how to fix it. We lamented there wasn't more to do. We wanted to do more, to make a difference.
I thought of them the following day, but they slowly left my thoughts as the afternoon wore on and the responsilities piled up. Wrapping. shopping. cooking. baking. Christmas was near. At 1pm we headed to confession and mass before Christmas. Afterwards we headed to McDonalds.
And there they were.
Right in my town, Joe and Jen. We stopped the car, we talked some more. We introduce the kids. They thanked them for the blessing bags as the childrens eyes grew wide. They had just arrived. They were living in the woods in a tent. We bought them lunch, we asked if they needed anything, we took a small list of supplies. It felt like God was speaking to us, but neither of us could really understand the words. We both know we cannot solve poverty, but we also equally know we are our brothers keeper. Not knowing how to fix this we just tried to do what we could that day. And the next.
As the week wore on we got to know them better. They do not seem to be involved in drugs or alcohol. They just seemed really simple, and unintelligent, possibly mentally ill, but not cetainly. I waited for them to try to take advantage of me. It was Advent and I was ripe for being put upon, but no such luck happened. The requests were profoundly simple: water, ramen noodles, a blanket, batteries. After a few days I secretly prayed they would ask for something more to both assuage my guilt for having so much more, and also to do some actual good for them. It was not to be. I have so much. I have been so blessed. I have resources and a community of people I am surrounded by. I can get things done. Despite my most sincere tries, I could not make this better.
By a weeks end, I asked my friends for advice- what else could we do? I had been calling shelters and soup kitchens and getting nowhere. My friends offered new leads,thoughtful prayers, real tangible help, and solid advice. We made a supreme effort to reunite them with family, but despite our best efforts, it never happened. On Christmas day I got another ordinary text from Jen :
"Merry Christmas. Could you bring us 3 gallons of water, creamer, salt and pepper, and some chocolate snacks?"
I closed the oven door where my Christmas dinner was cooking and asked Fred to drive me to Sheetz, the only open store on Christmas day. We picked up the water and creamer along with the salt and pepper, then scoured the aisles for chocolate snacks. Kit Kats, M&M's, Hersheys. It all felt so small and we felt like such failures. As we were leaving Jen and Joe that day she asked "Hey, do you want to hug me?" and I said yes and we did.
Over the course of two weeks I asked God what I was supposed to do about this couple, what did he want of me, how could I be of help. No answer came. No heartwarming results and Christmas miracles were accomplished. Joe and Jen seem to prefer to live in the woods, away from people and no matter how much good we want for them, we cannot make them do what we wish.
2 days ago the real answer from God came. I realized God didn't want me to do anything more than I had done. But he did want me to know what his own heart feels like. All those days I had been recieving those lists and texts I had such power and ability to assist Joe and Jen. They could have asked me for so much and I would have moved mountains to try to help them, but they didn't want mountains moved. They couldn't see what was and is in their best interest. They don't want help or to change. They are content to live this way. When I cautioned them about how bad things could get, they laughed it off and said they'd been through worse. I believed them and felt such pity and heartbreak. They were grateful, but they oddly never tried to get to know us any better, even as we tried to get to know them.
When I was in a "godly" position my heart was intent on helping them and I was waiting for any real opening to help to move these simple souls in a better direction. I kept my phone nearby in case the weather changed or a need came up. I was so attentive. I simply ached to do good for them.
Then, I thought of what my own prayers must sound like to God. What do I really ask my father for? When he looks at me, He too sees a simple soul wandering this earth, homeless and living in a dangerous world. He desires for me to be safe and warm and sheltered. He would move mountains for me, even move me into his own house if I wanted to, to assure my eternal safety. He would give me anything I asked for that was good for me.
Instead I too ask for water and chocolate snacks.
I wonder how disappointing my prayers must seem to a father who is so generous. I often think, probably as Joe and Jen did, that I don't want to wear out my welcome with a God who has forgiven me so much, and blessed me so much, but I saw that its just not true. I have only misunderstood Gods hospitality, his generosity, and his genuine devotion to my real needs. He wouldn't tire of bringing me water and salt and pepper, or even the extravagant 'chocolate snack', but I know he must wish that I would ask for more. Especially if he felt it could move me closer to Him and into his safe heart.
I'm sure he would like me to pray bigger.
I don't mean bigger as in more water and chocolate snacks, I mean bigger as in I need to start asking for the most important things from him, like peace, and forgiveness, and eternal life. I need to trust him enough to bring him a list that says things like :
I'd like my kids to always keep their faith,
I'd like to see more souls converted to you Jesus.
I'd like to be able to let go of my pettiness and fears.
I'd like you to cure my friends cancer.
I'd like to help end homelessness.
I'd like you to fix a failing marriage.
I'd like peace in war torn areas.
I'd like you to bless a childless couple with a baby.
Mostly, I'd like to know you better Jesus, I'd like to want to know you better,and if its really not too much, I'd like to sit with you for eternity and listen the sound of your heart.
I need to trust He is happy to give those things to me if and when I stop standing in my own way. The next time my conscience tells me I am getting myself into trouble I have to remember not to boast to Him that I've been in worse trouble before, as if that somehow minimizes what is currently wrong in my life.
I'd like my kids to always keep their faith,
I'd like to see more souls converted to you Jesus.
I'd like to be able to let go of my pettiness and fears.
I'd like you to cure my friends cancer.
I'd like to help end homelessness.
I'd like you to fix a failing marriage.
I'd like peace in war torn areas.
I'd like you to bless a childless couple with a baby.
Mostly, I'd like to know you better Jesus, I'd like to want to know you better,and if its really not too much, I'd like to sit with you for eternity and listen the sound of your heart.
I need to trust He is happy to give those things to me if and when I stop standing in my own way. The next time my conscience tells me I am getting myself into trouble I have to remember not to boast to Him that I've been in worse trouble before, as if that somehow minimizes what is currently wrong in my life.
2016 is coming to a close and 2017 is moments away, I have learned so many things this year both good and bad. Perhaps the very best thing I have learned is to not be afraid to pray big.
Friends, remind me of that as the year wears on... would you?
Have a blessed New Year.
Friends, remind me of that as the year wears on... would you?
Have a blessed New Year.
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