Once again my pastors message inspired me and made me really think.
You hear it all the time, that we are really blessed with all that we have and that we should be thankful for what we have, because a lot of people aren’t as fortunate as we are.
Whenever I think about this, I always think of 3rd world countries and people living in poverty, who really have practically NOTHING. People who need our help- Yes. And thats why I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to go and help these people next year.
but today God made me realize that there are sooo many people around me, in my own city, that need the same thing. I have helped with food shelves, soup kitchens etc. but have never really truly thought about what it would be like to live like these people do. I have given my time to them, but I don’t feel like I have ever sacrificed any thing that would make me walk a little in there shoes.
Like I said in a recent blog, my church has been doing a lot with mobilizing the church and getting out into the community. Today our pastor introduced us to a new ministry we are going to be helping with. It’s in the Twin Cities area( near where I live) they have 3 locations, it’s a place called Union Gospel Mission. They provide clothes, food and shelter for people in need. One of there biggest ministries is giving people nice clothes and shoes to wear to job interviews, that otherwise wouldn’t have anything nice to wear. Hopefully helping these people, who really need a job, get one.
When my pastor was talking about this, I though he would maybe ask us to find stuff at home to donate, and maybe bring it in. But he asked us to do something a lot different. and I felt God really speak to me through this. He asked everyone who felt led to give, to take off there shoes, tie them together and bring them up to the front altar. and lay them down as a gift to the ministry.
When I brought my shoes to the front, it gave me a feeling I couldn’t describe. I just started to cry, it made me think of alll of the pairs of shoes I have and how everyday I take this for granted. Picking out shoes to go with my outfit or whatever. When there are people who walk around barefoot everyday, with out any shoes.
It was a weird/awesome feeling seeing everyone walk out of the church with no shoes. It was a great feeling to know that someone in need would soon be wearing what we all had just given up.
I need to watch out, and not take so much for granted. Shoes are a simple and normal thing to us. But to someone else, it is the perfect gift!
