this morning, as i was perusing the daily paper online, i felt the "tug."
usually when this happens, i get a little bit afraid. because usually it means i am being called into something i know nothing about. and that always scares me, because i tend to like to be in control of things.
usually also, when i feel the tug, there is sacrifice involved. i don't love sacrifice so much. i kind of like comfort, and easiness, and to be brutally honest, i tend to like things that are mostly about me.
doh. i think you know what i'm getting at when i describe the tug. that is what i am calling it when God taps you on the shoulder, and tells you that he has something in mind for you.
this time, i'm not sure what to do about the tug. it came from a front page story in today's argus leader. the gist of the story is a pilot program in sioux falls that helps get homeless people off the streets by giving them shelter, and a case manager to come and visit them, to see how they are doing. the man in the pic is one man in the program. last year, it cost taxpayers' $31,000 in emergency care for him because he is severely alcoholic.
it makes me think of kevin, my alcoholic "friend" who walks the alley by my house year-round to go to the liquor store, and someday may not make it back home if his life doesn't change.
it makes me think of marty, and that hits really close to home for me, because marty is phillip's dad. we don't know where marty is right now, but chances are he is without a home. he's a wonderful man – smart, and kind and well-educated. the last time i saw him and had dinner with him, he was telling me about reading all of the works of Homer (finally! he said :)) and i was amazed as always at how bright and full of potential he is.
so anyway, on tuesday there is a seminar about this program. it's for ministries in the community, and i'm not exactly a ministry (or am i?). plus, i have 3 meetings during the same time period, so there is a good chance that i will not be able to attend.
but please, if you get a chance to pray for me, pray i will not ignore the tug. that in fact it will grow stronger in the next couple of days, so that i cannot let it slip away. i have a feeling it might be important.
ps. here is the guy who is speaking at the seminar, his name is bill hackett, and he is from seattle, where they have a ministry for the homeless.
http://itfhomeless.org/default_files/Page429.html
4 comments:
Wow, that is one powerful tug. I am sorry to hear about Phillip's Dad, that is hard I am sure. I will pray for you. You never know at what level God may want you to serve. Maybe if you can't make it to the meeting, you can still find a way to get involved. God will, though, open the doors he needs you to walk through.
i will pray that you don't let this one pass you by. i'm imagining that you talked to phil about it and he is totally on board. this is where your heart has been, and phil's too.
i have a strong feeling this will not be the end of the story here...
i was kind of wondering what phillip would say, sometimes he is not so sure about my wackiness.
here is what he said:
"i wish i could ask for time off work. this is exactly what i think God wants for us to do with our life."
:) gotta love him.
I've been praying that the Lord frees up your schedule. It sounds like you have a date with Him.
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