The other day I had the honor and the privilege to be able to serve the homeless people downtown Toronto. Their is not one word or a sentence that I could describe this night in. It was honestly such an amazing time and something I have missed doing. I quickly already forgot the joy you can bring to one person's heart so easily by giving them the time of day.
I know I have said this before, but you never do realize everything you have until it is gone. And probably for some we will never know what it is like not to have everything we want, not need but want. Many people have a really hard time talking to homeless people they find it scary and overwhelming. But they are human just like you are! They have feelings and thoughts and emotions as well. They are not invisible and they do see you when you just ignore them when you walk past them. And they do see you when you just turn your head the other way.
When did our society decide that we are better than them? Enough to turn your head the other way....and not acknowledge their existence? Is my question......How do we have a right as all of us being equal human beings, to categorize ourselves to be better than the other. I have breaking news for you WE DON'T! Our society has made up these standards and levels and appearances that all of us should apparently abide by. And if you can't even afford to buy new clean clothes for yourself. Then you are not worth the time of day.
Homeless people aren't scary they are not going to mug you or hurt you. They just want to know they are loved just like how you want to know you are loved. They want to be smiled at and acknowledged. They want to know they still matter to you even if they can't afford to buy the newest line from a huge name brand.
Put your self in their shoes for just one minute look at your life being the way it is today and one day that being all gone. Yes, I understand some homeless people have chosen this lifestyle for themselves. But just picture this no health care, no family, no home, no food, no clean clothes, no shower, no job and the list goes on......Kind of leaves you at a loss for words realizing you more than likely have all of the above. And how come we can't find it in our hearts to buy a homeless person lunch once in awhile or acknowledge their existence. I am not writing this to make anyone feel guilty but more to open up your eyes, to new thoughts you might of never thought of before.
Homeless people make really good friends, they are loyal and really good at sharing stories. They can make you laugh and they can make you cry. But one of the most important things to remember about them. They can warm your heart with love that they have to share if you let them.
My final thoughts, I find it Ironic that the people who love the most now days and do take time out for their friends. That have so much to give on the inside but not on the outside are homeless people. People we avoid, ignore and now a days our society seems to forget. How Ironic.......
Monday, June 23, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Complaint card please....
Alot of the time in life we complain so much with nothing to really complain, but more feeling the need to talk. Alot of the time we need or should take ourselves out of our own shoes and look at our lives from a different perspective and realize how good we truly have it.
I to, am guilty of this, of complaining over things that are so tiny and don't even matter. We get so caught up in ourselves and our own world that we forget about others in this world. Some that have nothing compared to ourselves. Us middle class people.........average......the regular Joe's.......That is all we might ever be, living by each pay cheque. But we are lucky enough to be getting pay cheques.
We complain if we don't have anything to wear (even though your closet is over flowing), we complain that their is nothing in the fridge (even though it is full of food and their is just nothing that appeals to you), we complain about our friends and their imperfections but don't take the time to realize you are not perfect either.
Our society complains alot of the time without even realizing it anymore, because it has become the norm. Where it is accepted and children have learned you complain, you get what you want. When we should all be taught the lesson of working hard for what you want in life, not complain about it.
Alot of the time we don't realize what we have until it is gone. This is a very true statement. But some people will never be able to understand it, because they had nothing in the first place to complain about. I find more and more now a days the people with nothing to offer that are less than middle class. Are the ones that don't complain about what they don't have. We need to open up our eyes to what our society is turning into, and accepting as the norm. If you have vanilla ice cream instead of chocolate, Well then the world is over. Let's complain about it now......We should be lucky enough to even have those options.
Next time you want to complain about something so simple in life, think twice and realize life is to short to be complaining and especially about something that someone else might not ever have the luxury of.
I to, am guilty of this, of complaining over things that are so tiny and don't even matter. We get so caught up in ourselves and our own world that we forget about others in this world. Some that have nothing compared to ourselves. Us middle class people.........average......the regular Joe's.......That is all we might ever be, living by each pay cheque. But we are lucky enough to be getting pay cheques.
We complain if we don't have anything to wear (even though your closet is over flowing), we complain that their is nothing in the fridge (even though it is full of food and their is just nothing that appeals to you), we complain about our friends and their imperfections but don't take the time to realize you are not perfect either.
Our society complains alot of the time without even realizing it anymore, because it has become the norm. Where it is accepted and children have learned you complain, you get what you want. When we should all be taught the lesson of working hard for what you want in life, not complain about it.
Alot of the time we don't realize what we have until it is gone. This is a very true statement. But some people will never be able to understand it, because they had nothing in the first place to complain about. I find more and more now a days the people with nothing to offer that are less than middle class. Are the ones that don't complain about what they don't have. We need to open up our eyes to what our society is turning into, and accepting as the norm. If you have vanilla ice cream instead of chocolate, Well then the world is over. Let's complain about it now......We should be lucky enough to even have those options.
Next time you want to complain about something so simple in life, think twice and realize life is to short to be complaining and especially about something that someone else might not ever have the luxury of.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Religion vs. Relationship
When are people going to realize that we aren't living for religion but for a relationship. To be able to seperate the two and realize relationship is key and what you practice and beleive in! That we don't strive to be religious but to strive to have a stronger relationship with God.
That even if we don't have earthly fathers that you still do have a father that created you and knows every detail about you inside and out! That we can depend on him in those times of need. When we need comfort and reassurance, just to feel loved that our father is here for us. That we would not be fearful in the world we live but know he is the peace that calms us. That in his presence all fear is gone and where we truely belong.
We were created with a plan and purpose set out before for us, to build that relationship with him that he longs for. To be disciples of his word, to go out there and tell the nations of his great name! To have faith that is unbreakable and we will be made complete and lacking in nothing through him. To have child like faith in Christ where nothing is impossible.
God's presence is not something that you can capture enough in words. The relationship that you share with him will never be able to be summed up in a sentance. God is greater than that and his presence is so overwhellming, whether you laugh or you cry, curl into a ball and weep for hours. Or you stand in awe or dance around. He is not going to judge you but only love you unconditionally! We can not put God into a box and give him limits, their is no limits when it comes to God. We will never have a full understanding of him, but always a mysterty about him and his great workings. That he daily continues to do all around the world!
God is here amongst us whether you feel him or not he is their, the ability to have a relationship with him is their as well. He surrounds us with his love and bless's us with his mercy and grace. Giving us a new outlook on life and a new chance to start over with no strings attatched.
He places dreams and passions in our hearts, and gives us a desire to fulfill them in his name. Where we are blessed to be able to do God's will, and see the nations be saved. Your mothers, your fathers, aunts, uncles, children, grandparents and so on. He has a plan specifically for each of us. Hard to fathom yes, hard to do all the time yes, impossbile never!
With Christ that empty incomplete spot in your life with be filled. Knowing that you have now found what you have been looking for, for so many years now. A new hope, a new life a new relationship. Where God has breathed a renewing breath of life into your life.
Take up your cross daily and follow him.
That even if we don't have earthly fathers that you still do have a father that created you and knows every detail about you inside and out! That we can depend on him in those times of need. When we need comfort and reassurance, just to feel loved that our father is here for us. That we would not be fearful in the world we live but know he is the peace that calms us. That in his presence all fear is gone and where we truely belong.
We were created with a plan and purpose set out before for us, to build that relationship with him that he longs for. To be disciples of his word, to go out there and tell the nations of his great name! To have faith that is unbreakable and we will be made complete and lacking in nothing through him. To have child like faith in Christ where nothing is impossible.
God's presence is not something that you can capture enough in words. The relationship that you share with him will never be able to be summed up in a sentance. God is greater than that and his presence is so overwhellming, whether you laugh or you cry, curl into a ball and weep for hours. Or you stand in awe or dance around. He is not going to judge you but only love you unconditionally! We can not put God into a box and give him limits, their is no limits when it comes to God. We will never have a full understanding of him, but always a mysterty about him and his great workings. That he daily continues to do all around the world!
God is here amongst us whether you feel him or not he is their, the ability to have a relationship with him is their as well. He surrounds us with his love and bless's us with his mercy and grace. Giving us a new outlook on life and a new chance to start over with no strings attatched.
He places dreams and passions in our hearts, and gives us a desire to fulfill them in his name. Where we are blessed to be able to do God's will, and see the nations be saved. Your mothers, your fathers, aunts, uncles, children, grandparents and so on. He has a plan specifically for each of us. Hard to fathom yes, hard to do all the time yes, impossbile never!
With Christ that empty incomplete spot in your life with be filled. Knowing that you have now found what you have been looking for, for so many years now. A new hope, a new life a new relationship. Where God has breathed a renewing breath of life into your life.
Take up your cross daily and follow him.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Faith
Often I find that we get so caught up in our problems and all we worry do is worry about it and we let it get the best of us. When did we loose our faith in God knowing that he is in control of it all.
We have sleep less nights from thinking to much and distractions from our day because we are lost in the world of our own confusion. When there is such a simple answer that we choose to be oblivious to. Lay it all at God’s feet and leave it be. God gave his life for us, and this is one of the reasons why so we could look to him in a time of need and in a time of confusion. To be able to turn to him and be able to feel that release and freedom of the things holding you back.
But still we choose to let these thoughts consume us day and night. We need to realize that life is not all about ourselves and realize that there is way more to live for. Than silly thoughts that can be easily answered. Don’t let time waste away thinking about yourself but give it all to God and let your faith grow.
“He said to them, because of you little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain “move from here to there” and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” –Matthew 17:20-21
We have sleep less nights from thinking to much and distractions from our day because we are lost in the world of our own confusion. When there is such a simple answer that we choose to be oblivious to. Lay it all at God’s feet and leave it be. God gave his life for us, and this is one of the reasons why so we could look to him in a time of need and in a time of confusion. To be able to turn to him and be able to feel that release and freedom of the things holding you back.
But still we choose to let these thoughts consume us day and night. We need to realize that life is not all about ourselves and realize that there is way more to live for. Than silly thoughts that can be easily answered. Don’t let time waste away thinking about yourself but give it all to God and let your faith grow.
“He said to them, because of you little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain “move from here to there” and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” –Matthew 17:20-21
Thursday, June 12, 2008
La la la
I often find my self lately getting lost in the music. I know that sounds so cheesy and lame. But you know when you listen to a song and it just opens up your eyes to something you have never thought about before. This is what I am referring to. Some songs just over take you and all you can do is tune out everything around you and just feel so engulfed in it all.
The words and the sweet melodies that are being played. You just feel God's presence all around you and nothing else seems to matter at that time. You are relaxed and at ease knowing that you are more than comforted by our loving King. Often times we sing along to songs and not really even pay attention to what we are singing. Don't let the words of the song be just words coming from your mouth think about what you are singing and let it come from your heart. Get lost in the music and God's presence, and feel the peace of God's love around you.
It is an amazing feeling and makes your day so much better. Having the presence of God with you where ever you go, through something so simple as really listening to a song and not just singing along.
The words and the sweet melodies that are being played. You just feel God's presence all around you and nothing else seems to matter at that time. You are relaxed and at ease knowing that you are more than comforted by our loving King. Often times we sing along to songs and not really even pay attention to what we are singing. Don't let the words of the song be just words coming from your mouth think about what you are singing and let it come from your heart. Get lost in the music and God's presence, and feel the peace of God's love around you.
It is an amazing feeling and makes your day so much better. Having the presence of God with you where ever you go, through something so simple as really listening to a song and not just singing along.
thoughts+friends+love=a great life recipe
Another day where my brain is filled and on overflow of thoughts that seem to be never ending. I learned another life lesson today, is what I have come to realize as the day has wrapped up and I am sure I will continue to learn more about it. I finally understand what a true friend is....
I was sent a package tonight in the mail that I forgot today was the day it was coming. And good timing too! I asked for love to be sent to me but never did I imagine love or friendship to look or feel this way. In the first moment of opening up this package and the excitement of not knowing what is inside is only the beginning. Till you finally get to the core center of it and see how much one individual can care for you, with you not even realizing you have impacted one person this much and vice versa.
So much time and thoughtfulness put into one little box. But at the same time this box was enormous to me, with how much love and care it contained. I couldn't of asked for anything better to finish off my night. Not only did it bring an abundance of tears to my eyes knowing someone in this world thinks so much of you. But it warmed the core of my heart to make me want to continue to be an even better friend! Your actions speak louder than words, in this case my box of love was one of the best actions I have seen take place in a long time.....Thank-you once again for being true!
I was sent a package tonight in the mail that I forgot today was the day it was coming. And good timing too! I asked for love to be sent to me but never did I imagine love or friendship to look or feel this way. In the first moment of opening up this package and the excitement of not knowing what is inside is only the beginning. Till you finally get to the core center of it and see how much one individual can care for you, with you not even realizing you have impacted one person this much and vice versa.
So much time and thoughtfulness put into one little box. But at the same time this box was enormous to me, with how much love and care it contained. I couldn't of asked for anything better to finish off my night. Not only did it bring an abundance of tears to my eyes knowing someone in this world thinks so much of you. But it warmed the core of my heart to make me want to continue to be an even better friend! Your actions speak louder than words, in this case my box of love was one of the best actions I have seen take place in a long time.....Thank-you once again for being true!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Broken smiles
Today is definitely one of those days where my heart is just so heavy and I feel burdened with so many things of my own and others. Sometimes I just look at our society and what it is turning into. It is honestly ridiculous, that you can’t even put it in words.
Everyone is struggling and it is hard to come by a truly sincere joyful person. You sit and talk with you r friends and they tell you stories about their life, most days it just breaks my heart. You just wish you could fix it all for them. Even though we can help.
There is so much brokenness in our world, hurt in the eyes of strangers. Where you just want to walk up to them and give them a hug telling a person you love them. And maybe that is all they need to hear at that point in time.
To be able to make a person smile once in their day could be their saving grace for what their actions could be later that night. We see brokenness and some days deal with it ourselves. But we don’t have to live in it like most of our society chooses to.
Wouldn’t it be incredible to be able to yell a message of love from the roof tops for everyone in the whole world to hear daily! So you know and have the reassurance that everyone has now felt love, maybe even for the first time ever. We need to choose to live life and not a life of brokenness. Be an inspiration to our society not a discouragement. See people smile and laugh and not see brokenness in their in eyes. Don’t let people walk by that are living a life style like this. Shoot them a smile and see what you get back. It can’t hurt :)
Everyone is struggling and it is hard to come by a truly sincere joyful person. You sit and talk with you r friends and they tell you stories about their life, most days it just breaks my heart. You just wish you could fix it all for them. Even though we can help.
There is so much brokenness in our world, hurt in the eyes of strangers. Where you just want to walk up to them and give them a hug telling a person you love them. And maybe that is all they need to hear at that point in time.
To be able to make a person smile once in their day could be their saving grace for what their actions could be later that night. We see brokenness and some days deal with it ourselves. But we don’t have to live in it like most of our society chooses to.
Wouldn’t it be incredible to be able to yell a message of love from the roof tops for everyone in the whole world to hear daily! So you know and have the reassurance that everyone has now felt love, maybe even for the first time ever. We need to choose to live life and not a life of brokenness. Be an inspiration to our society not a discouragement. See people smile and laugh and not see brokenness in their in eyes. Don’t let people walk by that are living a life style like this. Shoot them a smile and see what you get back. It can’t hurt :)
Living
Someone once told me the best way to express you feelings is to write them out. For a long time now I have been holding these feelings all in knowing if I write them out I have to confront them head on at the same time. But there is a time you must overcome those feelings and let them go to be set aside as apart of your past.
I still feel the heart ache some days of when it first happen. That brings me to the point of tears and frowns. I think of you not as much as I used to but not a day goes past that I can say I never thought of you at all. It is hard feeling like you are the one being left behind but all it really is, is a new beginning. That is needed and necessary but some days it is hard to see that and overcome those thoughts when you look back on the good memories of what you once had.
With all the time and effort and love you put into everything. Knowing this wasn’t for you but it was just so comfortable and they made you feel safe and loved. Some days I just wish so badly you could feel and see what I do. And I would do anything for you to know what it is like to be me just for one quick moment. So you actually understood fully what it was like to try and deal with something deep going on in your life. Some days I just want to yell at you and tell you how much you hurt me and others days all I want is just to see you smile to know that you are truly doing ok.
Mixed emotions everyday, and as those become less and less, I miss them. But not really because no one should live in their past. Some times I think about if I saw you again what would I actually do, be speechless, want to hit you (I know abrupt), hug you, walk away, actually have a conversation or pretend I didn’t even see you. You know how people say “if you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say it all”. Most days this applies to you. You think you know a person, but do you really? Don’t get me wrong I am not bitter nor holding a grudge just trying to understood where your coming from fully. I still to this day do you not understand your logic in living life……Hide, runway…..Guess you wouldn’t know yourself…..
All these thoughts run through your mind and sometimes I wonder why I even think about someone who has hurt me so bad knowing the hurt comes along with the thoughts. In situations like these you come to realize how much you can care for a person or the extreme opposite. You see what is out their in the world for you and you take a hold of it or what you thought you had a hold of. Or maybe that is called being just plain naive.
I could write forever about this with all the time and energy I put into one relationship in life. But in the end let’s just chalk it up to a learning experience……I feel as I still have not got all my thoughts and feelings out about this but everyday is a new day!
I still feel the heart ache some days of when it first happen. That brings me to the point of tears and frowns. I think of you not as much as I used to but not a day goes past that I can say I never thought of you at all. It is hard feeling like you are the one being left behind but all it really is, is a new beginning. That is needed and necessary but some days it is hard to see that and overcome those thoughts when you look back on the good memories of what you once had.
With all the time and effort and love you put into everything. Knowing this wasn’t for you but it was just so comfortable and they made you feel safe and loved. Some days I just wish so badly you could feel and see what I do. And I would do anything for you to know what it is like to be me just for one quick moment. So you actually understood fully what it was like to try and deal with something deep going on in your life. Some days I just want to yell at you and tell you how much you hurt me and others days all I want is just to see you smile to know that you are truly doing ok.
Mixed emotions everyday, and as those become less and less, I miss them. But not really because no one should live in their past. Some times I think about if I saw you again what would I actually do, be speechless, want to hit you (I know abrupt), hug you, walk away, actually have a conversation or pretend I didn’t even see you. You know how people say “if you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say it all”. Most days this applies to you. You think you know a person, but do you really? Don’t get me wrong I am not bitter nor holding a grudge just trying to understood where your coming from fully. I still to this day do you not understand your logic in living life……Hide, runway…..Guess you wouldn’t know yourself…..
All these thoughts run through your mind and sometimes I wonder why I even think about someone who has hurt me so bad knowing the hurt comes along with the thoughts. In situations like these you come to realize how much you can care for a person or the extreme opposite. You see what is out their in the world for you and you take a hold of it or what you thought you had a hold of. Or maybe that is called being just plain naive.
I could write forever about this with all the time and energy I put into one relationship in life. But in the end let’s just chalk it up to a learning experience……I feel as I still have not got all my thoughts and feelings out about this but everyday is a new day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
