Helping the Hurting & the Helpless

I've been thinking a lot lately about how we as a society (and yes, me specifically) get so caught up in ourselves that we miss the needs of others or become callous to their needs. From the homeless person on the corner to the single mom in need of assistance, to the handicapped person who we could give some assistance to, to the person who's going through a tough time after the loss of loved one and so much more. I know I am so often in "on a mission" mode that I don't even see the needs around me - much less actively seek them out.

I have recently tried to make it a point to start watching for these opportunities, and to do something to make a difference - No I'm not trying to pat myself on the back or look for applause - just to make ua all think a little. I often pray, "God, help me to see the people you bring across my path today and to get out of my comfort zone to do something to help" - it may be just simple thing like a smile and a kind word, to pray with/for them, an offer to help them carry something - it may be some money to meet a need or a hot meal. The point is that I stop walking through life with the blinders on and see the faces and the needs of people around me and take action. God did not bless us just for ourselves - he blessed us so that we would be a blessing to others in need.

Isaiah 1:17 "learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Theology of “Cars”

We took the kids to see the movie Cars a couple weeks ago. It was a great movie for kids and Julie & I loved it too. Without ruining the plot for you, one of the story lines is the little town that died off when the interstate went in and how people now are too busy to drive the old scenic road and see beautiful sites.

I was driving home from work last week and happened to notice all these birds flying back and forth over the road and everywhere. As I approached the freeway, I was looking straight ahead at the White Tank mountains with the sun going down. I realized that although I often start off my day with God and am often notice his beautiful creation around me as I drive to work (and point it out to the kids if they’re in the car), I couldn’t recall the last time I did that on the way home from work. I get so busy and things are often hectic and I may be tired or late for dinner and just fly down the freeway with 100 thoughts going through my head from the day and all that I still need to do.

Anyway, so I decided to take the side street home (yes, I was a couple more minutes late for dinner). As I was driving, a verse came to mind… “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:3) I looked around and saw the fields of cotton, the plants and trees with the wind blowing through them, hawks soaring high in the sky with cool clouds above, some dogs and cows, and so much more… It was a good reminder for me that we should not get too busy to enjoy everyday the beauty of creation, the beautiful people around us, and that we need to slow down and praise God all through the day, not just in the morning, at meals and bedtime.

A couple days later we got home late from somewhere and the kids were a little cranky and past their bedtime. As I was rolling in the trash can, I was caught by the beauty of the moon and stars and sky on a very clear night – it was almost like being at a cabin in the mountains (ok, except it was still 105* at 9 p.m.). I grabbed the kids before they got into the house to take them to see as well. Natalie said wow! Thanks for showing me the moon and stars tonight daddy. Noah said "that’s awesome dad… can I have a snack before bedtime."

Pictures are worth...

Family photos can be a nightmare to coordinate and a huge test of patience, trying to get a strong-willed 6 year old and a giddy 3 year old to sit still and smile when they're suppose to.
But they are worth it.

I love my family!!