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shell
Registered Member

Date Joined Mar 2002
Total Posts : 280

Posted 8/25/2002 10:13 AM (GMT -6)

I was SO moved by the Holy Spirit at this morning's service at WHC. The stories from Doc's England trip were so touching, especially about the children and their ability to minister and hear from the Lord. Wow!

Alot of times children can see things so much more clearly than us adults.

We were at another Twin cities church this last week during the day and at one point another mother came up to me and said that there was a homeless man that the staff was trying to get to leave the premises, and that if he didn't leave they were going to call the police to escort him off. As I walked down a path in a somewhat desolate area to my car with my children I could see this 30ish year old unkempt man nearby us in the parking lot and we were the only ones out there. I hurried my girls to the car, and as they were asking me why I was in such a hurry...I made some quick reference(I am ashamed to even say this) to a "yucky man" nearby an that we needed to hurry to our car. I am really not usually like that (I'm a social worker for pete's sake) but I had a moment of fear and responded in a less than loving way.

As we got in the car to drive away my daughter said "MOM, Jesus doesn't think that man is yucky. It doesn't matter if his clothes are messy. To me he just looks like he is very lonely, and it makes my heart sad to see him walking all alone" I was totally convicted about my comment and apologized and explained that I said it quickly and in fear...

She then went on to say "If a homeless man is sent away from a church where else is there for him to go? Isn't the church there to help people just like him? Why would they send him away? Jesus wouldn't have done that and it makes me want to cry."

We had a great conversation about how Jesus would have treated someone like that man, and how worthwhile Jesus would have seen him. I couldn't even begin to answer her as to why the church would send him away and threaten to call the police. There was no good answer even as I tried to think of security concerns, and staff not prepared to deal with his issues on the spot...my daughter said they should have someone at the church then to help someone like him all the time. "That's what church is for mom!"

Through her child eyes she revealed a weakness in my love at that moment, the gaps in church ministry, and so much more.

Shell

Edited by - shell on 08/25/2002 3:21:21 PM

GregBoyd
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 1818

Posted 8/25/2002 5:51 PM (GMT -6)

Thanks for sharing Shell. I really appreciate your honesty and vulnerability.

Don't beat yourself up too much though. A child who expresses the sort of insights your child says something very significant about their parenting.

Its very hard to balance the call to unconditional love with common sense. On the one hand, I think your instinctive concern to protect your children from a possible threat is not only understandable, but godly. On the other hand, you are absolute right in noting how something is very off when the church as a whole calls police to protect itself from the sort of people Jesus attracted. I don't know a rule to resolve this tension. One has to follow the Spirit.

Thanks for your adorable vulnerability.

Greg

"In Christ...the ONLY THING that matters is faith energized by love." Galatians 5:6

D.O.L.
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2002
Total Posts : 3

Posted 8/26/2002 2:50 AM (GMT -6)

I too was moved by the sermon. When we got home my son told me a story about a kid he was thinking of trading toys with. He asked me if it was
a sin (or bad) that HE KNEW his toy was much less expensive than the other kids. He told the other child this was so, but he still wanted to trade. My son didn't feel peace about it and asked his friend to wait a bit on the deal.
Wow, I was completely humbled. I thought of the common response (me included) "Gee, LOOK what I GOT and all I had to GIVE is ________"
His way of thinking was obviously much less polluted by the greed of society at his age.
d.o.l.

shell
Registered Member

Date Joined Mar 2002
Total Posts : 280

Posted 8/26/2002 4:38 AM (GMT -6)

Greg,

Thanks for the parenting encouragement. My 6 1/2 year old(the one I was referring to) is quite a challenge,(and intelligent and loving and sensitive to the Lord and many other wonderful things) and often I feel like I am one step away from screwing her up forever

Although the Lord has shown us many times that He has his hand on her life.

The Spirit leading that you were referring to...I once wanted to take a homeless lady home with me from church for a short term transitional stay. Just as I was about to open my mouth and offer, the Lord put this huge NO in my spirit and reminded me that my kids are my first priority and that this would not be safe for them. I was shocked at how strong the feeling was, and disappointed to not be able to help her out. Another couple with no children offered a little later, and I found out a few weeks later that she was a VERY troubled woman and it would've had a very negative impact on my kids because of what she was dealing with at the time. Even in doing good we need the Spirit's leading.

Wouldn't it be great though if churches(especially those in or near the city) had a social worker and security available all of the time so that those issues could be dealt with right on the spot without ever turning someone away? Available to offer needed referrals, a safe place to stay for the night, assistance getting into a treatment center right away, and follow up. I would love to see churches doing that. Often we lack the resources to help the most down and out who need the most support and help to get out of the situation they are in. Many struggle with mental illness and just need help getting admitted to a clinic to get stabilized on medication...I could go on and on!

D.O.L.,

That is such a sweet story. What a precious child.

Shell

Edited by - shell on 08/26/2002 10:38:02 AM

Springs
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 636

Posted 8/26/2002 5:19 PM (GMT -6)

Thanks for the story Shell,
One of my girlfriends asked a homeless man if he would like to come to her suburban home for dinner. He declined the offer saying it would make his next evening bitter.

-S

shell
Registered Member

Date Joined Mar 2002
Total Posts : 280

Posted 8/26/2002 5:39 PM (GMT -6)

quote:

Thanks for the story Shell,
One of my girlfriends asked a homeless man if he would like to come to her suburban home for dinner. He declined the offer saying it would make his next evening bitter.

-S

There really aren't words to express how sad the whole issue is. My heart is pretty heavy after reading about your friend's experience.

Shell

Edited by - shell on 08/26/2002 10:40:11 PM

Springs
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 636

Posted 8/26/2002 6:03 PM (GMT -6)

Shell,
I appreciate your heart. Woodland makes every effort to have someone available to people who come in off the street. I have seen people drop what they are doing to meet special needs. If someone was turned away, my first quess would be it was a prudent decision, not a heartless one. SOME people choose to be homeless.
We can't help the whole world. The Lord tells us what to do case by case, as attested to by the spirit warning you above.
Bless you for your ministry.
Springs

shell
Registered Member

Date Joined Mar 2002
Total Posts : 280

Posted 8/27/2002 4:06 AM (GMT -6)

Springs,

I definitely agree with you about the ministry of Woodland Hills, they offer so much help to those in need!

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