Life is Short...God is Good...People are People

In my last post, I came to the conclusion that life is short, and God is good. I would simply like to add, people are people. This conclusion came to me after we went to feed homeless people in Austin last weekend.  You know, the people we make eye contact with while we are driving and try to avoid.  I usually avoid comments like that, unless they expose my own hypocrisy. These are the people who we went to and hung out with for an afternoon.

It is one thing to write a check, donate a kit, and even bring a meal.  It is another thing all together to sit and seek to understand what people are going through.  After a couple hours of talking to a Lometa 2007 graduate. He said, "You guys are different.  Most people just drop stuff off...even churches. You guys actually want to know what we are going through." (people will know you are my disciples by the love you show for one another.)

Here is what I learned, people are people. Red and Anthony were not made of different things.  They were made like you and I...in the image of God.  There is no difference between them and I except for the barriers and differences we erect. In some cases the only difference between these people, the people in the Travis County Jail, and you and I is a couple of decisions and a couple of breaks.  Some were homeless through no fault of their own. The depression and isolation has moved many into addictions, but God has placed homeless people with the knowledge of the word and the desire to save the lost. One homeless man said he reads his Bible 30-45 minutes a day.  He had the knowledge to back it up as well.

Here's the rub...God has not forgotten these people.  When you read the Old Testament, God reveals his heart for the broken hearted, oppressed and fatherless. He is sending people to minister to them. So much so that they see every gift and kind act as a gift from God.

I was so humbled to be a part of the team of people of all ages who went to minister to God's people.  It certainly was a life changer for me.

So here is the conclusion, Life is Short, God is good, People are people.