I will not play at tug o'war.
I'd rather play at hug o'war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.
Shel Silverstein
from Where the Sidewalk Ends
Today Pastor Chilly (I often wonder what his real name is lol) was breathing the word of God into our lives and he said something about how we play tug o' war with God, and I instantly thought of the poem by Shel Silverstein, about how I'd rather just embrace what God tells me to do instead of wrestling with what God says and then giving in because I know that its what's best for me.
On our way to church Phyllis and I were talking about how great it would be to open another Grace Centers of Hope, model exactly like the current one. Do exactly what Pastor Clark and his crew do. Every time we'd see some vacant buildings we'd say that would be perfect. And I would see this crazy vision of the church being the church. Then we drove past Cass Tech (the old one) and it would be perfect. And then I know that in my small mind I don't even know where to begin just to fix the building let alone fix those broken lives of the people of God. I have no clue. But God does, and I was thinking about how great it would be to be a vessel for God. Oh my word! How exciting! And then it happened. God gave me an opportunity. A guy standing on the overpass. with a cup. If you know me, you know that it is not easy for me to give those people money. Not easy at all. I've give you a sandwich, my time, but my money? That's difficult. I have heard stories about how much they collect and what they do with it, and I don't like it. However, God is working in me. The other day outside of Starbucks there was a guy asking for money. He didn't see me so he didn't ask. And then, in my head/heart God said, "the Word doesn't say help the least of these if they ask" and so I turned around and gave him, whatever, I don't even know. And today, God gave me an opportunity to be faithful in little things.
Grace.
I want to be faithful in little things. I'd like to be faithful in big things too, but little things is where I am called now. With a giving, generous, cheerful heart.
You are a faithful Lord, let me be a faithful servant.
Romans 12:8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
I do wonder what it would take to transform Cass Tech....
I'd rather play at hug o'war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.
Shel Silverstein
from Where the Sidewalk Ends
On our way to church Phyllis and I were talking about how great it would be to open another Grace Centers of Hope, model exactly like the current one. Do exactly what Pastor Clark and his crew do. Every time we'd see some vacant buildings we'd say that would be perfect. And I would see this crazy vision of the church being the church. Then we drove past Cass Tech (the old one) and it would be perfect. And then I know that in my small mind I don't even know where to begin just to fix the building let alone fix those broken lives of the people of God. I have no clue. But God does, and I was thinking about how great it would be to be a vessel for God. Oh my word! How exciting! And then it happened. God gave me an opportunity. A guy standing on the overpass. with a cup. If you know me, you know that it is not easy for me to give those people money. Not easy at all. I've give you a sandwich, my time, but my money? That's difficult. I have heard stories about how much they collect and what they do with it, and I don't like it. However, God is working in me. The other day outside of Starbucks there was a guy asking for money. He didn't see me so he didn't ask. And then, in my head/heart God said, "the Word doesn't say help the least of these if they ask" and so I turned around and gave him, whatever, I don't even know. And today, God gave me an opportunity to be faithful in little things.
Grace.
I want to be faithful in little things. I'd like to be faithful in big things too, but little things is where I am called now. With a giving, generous, cheerful heart.
You are a faithful Lord, let me be a faithful servant.
Romans 12:8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
I do wonder what it would take to transform Cass Tech....
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