At church yesterday morning, I got called out. No one around me realized it, but I was very, truly convicted. The message was surrounding the parable of "The Good Samaritan" if you haven't read it, check it out, it is a doozy (Luke, Ch. 10 verses 30-37).
I see homeless people and I do not help them. I see people in need, and I help when it is convenient or when the person in need looks the way I want them to.
I started working again (HOORAY!) and my work has pulled me out of the small, affluent bubble of Newport Beach and into the view of people in need of help. I am a highly sensitive person. Those of you who know me would likely agree that "highly sensitive" is a bit of an understatement. So, when I see people in need, or I pretend NOT to see them, I know I am doing wrong. I get so busy and wrapped up in my own life, my own struggles, sometimes I am so closed to those around me who need help. I know it is wrong, it hurts my heart even as I'm doing it, but in recent years, I've created a habit of doing it anyhow.
I am also a task master. I love to "do" and I like a challenge. So here are the questions I asked myself upon being completely convicted at church and motivated to "do" something about it.
1. How can I be prepared to help someone in need?
2. How can I do it in a way that will be effective?
3. How can I do it in a way that won't take me so far out of my comfort zone that am scared to do it when the time comes?
I know myself, and I am far more effective with attainable goals than shooting for the stars. There are safety issues, and I realize my limits. I'm not going to be able to do what the Good Samaritan did, but if I can do something small, and build that habit, that has to be better than nothing, right?
My answer to the challenge?
"The Emily Norton not-a-super but a here-you-go pac"
Inside a small ziploc baggie:
$5
a bottle of water
a granola bar
I figure the whole thing will cost me about $200 for a certain number of "pac"s that I can keep in my car for easy access. We'll see how well this works. After church, I went to get fuel for the car and I happened upon 2 homeless men outside of the gas station. One of the men had a cell phone, making me sincerely question what I was doing in offering him food, but I brushed my doubt (masking my desire to feel justified for not doing ANYTHING) and walked up to the men. I asked them if they wanted any food or money. They wanted money. So I gave them the $6 in my wallet. Life-changing ministry moment? No, but a definite start. My thought is that if I can bundle up money ($1 seemed too low and I can't depend on myself to carry cash) with food, then it could be a win-win. I'm not giving only money, but I'm also not giving only food (which I've found is typically rejected when offered on its own).
Doing something, for me, is truly energizing. I hope this works and I hope this inspires you to do something too. Whether it be helping someone you know or finding a way to "do" whatever it is that challenges you.
