Being Real

Today was a roller coaster ride of emotions at our house.  After hearing of serious life threatening brain tumor on one of my friend's grandchildren, and learning of a friend's potentially life threatening injury while on a mission trip in Thailand, I was in a rather somber mood.

On the other side, my daughter called from Georgia to check on us and that brightens my day.  And our son who lives here came by with his two little munchkins to share the enthusiasm that comes with being 6 and 9.

For two hours this morning I handed out bibles at the Bus Depot with three guys from our church.  That is always a treat.  Receiving a copy of God's word just brightens the day of so many that are down on their luck.

After spending some time talking to a lady who was homeless and staying at the Women's Shelter, I was saddened by the life she was leading because she had no one to care for her.  And, she has four children who do not live with her.  She has never been married to the two fathers of her children and her parents were never married.  Here she is, on the streets, with no family and no stability.  Hope seems far away in her eyes.

She attends a women's bible study at the shelter.  I encouraged her to turn from giving her self away to someone other than her husband.  She said that her grandmother told her that the only husband you will ever have is your first husband.  Because the spirits become one.

Then I talked to Oliver who has two sons, 8 and 10, that he seemed to be so proud of.  Yet, he and the mother of those boys have never been married and live apart and stay at odds with each other.  His older son asked him if he was committing adultery for not marrying their mom.  This hurt Oliver to have his son realize that about him.  Oliver can quote scripture like no body's business.  Oliver has had open heart surgery and was wearing a diaper due to prostate surgery.  There was sadness and hopelessness of a sort for a fulfilled life with his family.

I offered to Oliver that he should show love toward the mother of his children as a way of showing love to his children.  Swallowing pride and giving of yourself for your kid's sake shows real love.  He seemed to really appreciate the counsel.

Then, there was the young man still hung over from the night before when he talked back to an officer and got locked up overnight.  What a mess.  Fourth time in jail.  Just wasting along in life.  So young and so fragile.  When he is on alcohol or drugs, he probably becomes a giant in his own mind.  From there he leans on and takes from others.  Said he was getting money as a study on smoking cigarettes all day.  If true, who would do that to another human?

So, this has been an emotional day.  And when my kids and grandchildren see me in that state,  happy one minute and really quiet the next, it communicates things to them that will stick in some way.

I only hope it carries the message of love for others and the far reaching effects of hurt in the "community family".