Be Specific

Last night I helped out serving and visiting in the Bowness community at a supper for lower income families. This is what happened:

While I was sitting eating dinner, this woman who was familiar sat down near me. I recognized her from the Center of Hope when I used to work there. She would come in the for the community meal at 4pm. It was a free soup line for anyone in the community. She was always rude and negative. But, we began chatting.

She told me that she's learning how to use the computer, taking a course at the library downtown. She was suicidal because her friend kept putting her down and telling her she couldn't do any of the goals she had set out for herself...learn the computer, learn how to drive and own a car. She's trying to break away from this relationship since she feels she's being verbally and emotionally abused. That explains why she was so negative when I saw her downtown.

Earlier that day, I had listened to Dr. David Jeremiah on Turning Point about resentment and anger and how if we don't deal with it, it'll destroy us and the people around us. God has perfect timing! I shared this with her. I shared that as hard as it is to severe those relationships around us that aren't strengthening us, we need too. But, we also need to deal with our resentment and anger which we have for others and for situations in our lives which have hurt us. I could tell she was hurting because she kept going back to what this woman had done to her. It made me think about my own situation. It's not right to hold onto the anger and bitterness. I need to forgive. So I encouraged her to forgive.


As we are chatting, I'm noticing people cleaning up around us. But I didn't feel led to leave. Someone had asked me a question which pulled me away from the table. But, she got my attention and asked if she could PRAY for me! Here we are, serving the guests, encouraging them to let us pray for them and she wants to pray for me! I told her that I would like prayer for a job. She then said, well, God wants us to be specific when we ask for things, so what type of job?! I explained specifically what type of job and she prayed for me, then I prayed for her.

What blows me away every time is that yes, they may be a marginalized society, but they are just like me. With hurts and struggles and choices to make in life. So messed up, intoxicated, strung out, low self esteem, bitter, angry (etc), but human and looking to be treated with dignity and respect, yet expecting the worst. They may seem scary on the outside, but deep down we are all the same.

I miss the people living in the East Village. Never thought I would say that! God calls us to go to the poor and hurting and love them. As I go, God will change and use me. How cool!