Homeless

Living in South Texas for sixteen years gave my family and I the opportunity to experience many things you just can’t experience in North Texas. We had the experience of “boarding up” and evacuating for a hurricane, which thankfully did not hit Corpus Christi during our time there. We had the experience of partaking in some of the best Tex-Mex food in the whole State of Texas. I had the opportunity of learning how to fish in the surf of the Gulf of Mexico. We had the experience of witnessing the sunset on Padre Island. There was one experience though that at first catches you off guard that is the experience of encountering the homeless. Corpus Christi is an ideal place for the homeless to live. The weather is great most of the year. Sleeping outside is not a problem except when the mosquitoes are out of control. The homeless there are on almost every corner along the main highway through town. They are set up with their backpack, sleeping bag, “will work for food” sign and in some cases they have a dog or two to take care of. Over the years I was able to meet of few of these men. One particular person came around the church pretty often. I once asked him how he made it being homeless. He informed me that he was better off than I was. He did not have a mortgage, home repairs, a lawn to mow, bills to pay, or neighbors to fuss with. In his mind I was the one who was trapped by debt and bills and responsibility. He went on to explain that he had plenty of money for food and “drinks” and he had a nice place to campout. I asked about doing laundry and he explained how he washed his clothes every week late at night at the coin operated laundry. I asked about bathing etc… and he just smiled and said, “I manage just fine.” We later discovered that he and others were climbing into our church building and bathing in the baptistery and shaving in the men’s room. It would not surprise me if they occasionally slept on the pews. Just the other day I met a homeless person here in our quiet North Texas town. When we met I did not know he was homeless. I saw the young man and said hello. He then said, “I love where I’m living now.” I asked him why and he said, “Because I have a bed and the place has showers”. This young man was six years old. He had just moved into the Samaritan Inn with his dad. They had been living in the car. The young man when on his way and I stood there wondering about how someone gets to that point. I wondered if we or I could do anything. Here I am living in the richest county in North Texas having a conversation with a homeless six year old. My heart aches for him and the others like him. I don’t know for sure what can be done now, but I do know what is planned for him later. “My Father’s house is a big, big house with lots and lots of rooms….” You see in a very real way we were all spiritually homeless at one time. Satan is trying to make us comfortable here on this earth, but the fact is that this earth is at best “temporary housing”. You and I were made for something beyond this world. The Father has built a huge mansion and there are rooms enough for all of God’s adopted children. We may not ever figure out what to do with all of the homeless in our community, state and nation, but I thank God everyday for the home he has prepared for me and you and my new six year old friend. If he loves the Samaritan Inn, he’s really going to flip when he moves into God’s house. Love God. Go Love Others.

Fences

One of the things I enjoy most in my life is spending time on our back patio enjoying the outdoors. This time of year it is especially nice to be sitting in my chair looking at all the pretty roses and Crepe Myrtle trees. I enjoy seeing how tall the oak tree is getting and how it is becoming a nice shade tree in the afternoon. The flower beds are ready for new flowers to be planted and over the next few weeks it will be a wonderful place to enjoy. I have enjoyed my backyard for several years. It is a good place to go and relax. The privacy fence give me…well what else… privacy. The fence blocks out the world and limits my view of the world around me.
Just the other day, Mary and I were able to drive out to the country to spending an enjoyable evening with friends who have a beautiful place. As we drove around the property we were able to see trees, flowers (including Bluebonnets) creeks, ponds, birds etc… just about anything you would enjoying seeing in nature. The only fences were old barbed wire fences. Nothing blocked my view of the creation around me. I was enjoying all of what God had created for me to enjoy without the noise and lights of the city.
The next morning, Mary and I enjoyed a cup of coffee on our back patio and there it was… the fence. Fences are both good and bad I guess. On one hand a good fence will give you some protection of the outside world, but on the other hand a fence can block your view of the world. Sometimes fences can limit what you are able to enjoy and experience.
In a real way, some of us have spiritual fences in our life. We only enjoy a limited amount of what God has for us to enjoy. Some of us have a limited view of what Christianity is all about and we are missing all the other blessings which were meant for us to enjoy.
Another spiritual fence in your life is sin. Sin closes and blocks you off from the spiritual blessings God has for you to enjoy. Sin can keep you from being successful in life and successful in your walk with God. Sin blocks the blessing of God. The fence of sin can cause you to think and believe that no one out there cares about you or even knows your pain, loneliness, and fears. Sin is the fence that blocks your relationship with God.
The good news is this, sin like fences can be taken down. Jesus Christ is the risen Savior who has come into the world to knock down fences so that you and I can have a relationship with God and so you and I can enjoy all the blessings of from a God who created us for an experience that is truly amazing. It is so amazing that this world cannot contain it all.
The next time you see a fence; remember God created you for something far greater and amazing than the life you are living right now. So get out there and claim the gifts the Father has for you. Really… go right now… an amazing life is just beyond the fence.
Love God. Go Love Others.