"I have no place to sleep tonight." "My husband/boyfriend left me and the children and I have to move." "I lost my job and can not pay my rent." "We finally saved enough money to get into an apartment but we have no furniture." "I lost my food stamps." "I am sleeping on the floor. Do you have a bed?" "I just got out of jail, and no one wants to hire me." "I have a new baby and need a refrigerator." "I am looking for a job." "My car was repossessed and I can't get to work." "What time do you give out food." "My wife was very ill. I had to quit work to take care of her because we have no family." "I am glad my husband finally went to rehab, but now we can not pay our bills."
These were among the calls we received this week. I never cease to be amazed at the problems that people face. I have compassion, but cannot fully empathize since I have never been in these situations. After I step back and look at the situations, it reminds me to be extremely thankful to God for the blessings Jane and I received, from being raised in families that instilled responsibility and choices based on the principles of our heavenly Father.
Most of these situations we encounter at Greenhouse Ministries spring out of poor choices and a lack of responsibility. But this does not change the fact that they all need help. We want to give physical help so they can see beyond their problem, and then spiritual help to direct them in making better choices and then take responsibility for their actions.
It is interesting that in Jesus' parable of the sower, much of the seed seemed to be wasted. Some fell on hard ground, some on the rocks, some in the thorns, and some on good soil; however, three out of the four did not produce.
These were among the calls we received this week. I never cease to be amazed at the problems that people face. I have compassion, but cannot fully empathize since I have never been in these situations. After I step back and look at the situations, it reminds me to be extremely thankful to God for the blessings Jane and I received, from being raised in families that instilled responsibility and choices based on the principles of our heavenly Father.
Most of these situations we encounter at Greenhouse Ministries spring out of poor choices and a lack of responsibility. But this does not change the fact that they all need help. We want to give physical help so they can see beyond their problem, and then spiritual help to direct them in making better choices and then take responsibility for their actions.
It is interesting that in Jesus' parable of the sower, much of the seed seemed to be wasted. Some fell on hard ground, some on the rocks, some in the thorns, and some on good soil; however, three out of the four did not produce.
At Greenhouse Ministries our mandate is to sow seed that will grow into the abundant life that Jesus desires all of us to experience. Our job is to sow. Sometime it is difficult to tell which soil will be productive in the people who call on us for help. But that is not our part, only to give each day to being available for what He sends our way.
Please pray that God will give us the wisdom, mercy and grace to not prejudge people who need help. They need to see the love of Jesus in a practical way so that the hardened soil of their heart will be receptive to seed that is sown.
