My Heels

The thought of what to wear wakes me in the mornings. I wake and preform my morning rituals. Before I step out to take on the world. I slip into my choice of heels. What an energizing moment.
I stand in the mirror and tilt my feet just so. Today's choice, a closed toe black suede leather 2 inch heel.

Happy as a lark, I drop off my children at school. I go over my day in my head. First I go to pick up
a small hand made blanket that a Life Changer has donated to a hurting child. I take care of a weeks worth of errands before I head to the office.

It is after 2:00 before my heels and I make it in. I park in my usual spot. Headed towards the front door ,I smile as I hear click clack click clack, the sound of my heels on payment.  Finally in my office, only to find many emails and missed phone calls. It doesn't take long before I am scrambling to connect
Neighbors to resources. Hours go by and I am frustrated. I decide the villain here is Poverty.
I am tired of him succeeding with these families. I am just plain tired and Poverty doesn't care. 
Poverty doesn't  take a break.

Today I worked with Pearl, a young mother of  three with the fourth one on the way. She is homeless tonight. Her seven year old had a breakdown at school today. He doesn't understand why he can't go home.

I don't understand why so many can't go home.

Sis is also a mother of  three with the fourth one on the way. Sis was layed off due to lack of business.

Sis is looking for work so she can help her husband pay rent. They don't want to be homeless.

She is 7 months pregnant and no one will hire her. She is struggling. She needs food.

The need is great. The holidays are near and more  people are giving.

I have a load of food that still needs to be delivered to our small food pantry.
I just can't seem to find the time.Today there will be time.

It is after 5:00 and I head to the food pantry, in hopes of delivering this food today.
I call Missy to see if she can meet me there.
I arrive to drop off  my cargo of food and still frustrated that Poverty will not give me a break.
I am bothered at the thought of having to remove my heels. I convince myself that it will be much easier to unload if I am wearing flats.

This puts me in the most unpleasant mood. I begrudgingly get out of my car. I look up only to 

see a suspicious character. I mumble, "I hope he is not headed my way."

I glare in his direction and notice that he is walking towards me. 

I inhale with aggravation because he seems to be up to no good.

I am barely 5'4 and weigh 100 and something pounds. It is now after 5:30 

and this momma is not in the mood. I have to unload this food in flats and I don't have much
time. My 9 year old is waiting to be picked up from church.

He looks my way and I can feel my eyes telling my thoughts.

The neighborhood is silent and no cars in sight.

The sun is now setting and  for a moment I realize that I shouldn't be so bold.
That moment doesn't last long.

I should feel fear or even a bit apprehensive at my choice of posture but

I don't. My bad mood won't allow it. My eyes are focused on him. He doesn't smile

and neither do I.

I glance at my feet only to gain reassurance from my heels.

I am not bothered in the least  that he is twice my size.

I become defensive at the thought that he may want to take my food.

I have students that need this food. I have these two expecting mothers that need
this food. He can not have my food.

God himself must of been standing behind me because the gentleman

decides to cross the street. I mumble, "keep walking." 

I watch as he crosses the street and he no longer looks my way.

Disgusted at the thought of someone looking in the direction of my food.

I decide its time to take my heels off and switch to a more practical shoe. If only while

I unload. I begin to gather the food from my broken hatch. I walk up the side walk of this
small house that serves as a food pantry. My heart is warmed as I lay my first load of food
on the porch.

Walking back to my car to retrieve more food, I notice neighbors watching.

I see children peeking out their windows. My mood begins to change. I am now
overcome with grief, because I know their story. The children's momma is a drug addict and leaves
them often. They are cared for by neighbors and they only eat what this pantry provides.
 I have so little to offer.

I keep unloading but I can no longer hold back the tears. My grief takes over and

I stop to sit in my car. I will wait for Missy to arrive and while I wait I will I pray for the children and the neighborhood.

No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible.
George Chakiris

 

My White Skirt

I was careful all day, not to soil my cute white skirt. I succeeded.
It was 5:00 and my skirt, still white.

My phone rang, a potential Neighbor. "Mina," she said. "Hello Mina, how can I help you?"
She spoke softly, "Can you stop by my house today?"

Her place was on my way home so I agreed.
I navigated my way and it wasn't long before I found, her house.
When I drove up she was waiting, outside with her children.

I parked and noticed the unpleasant surroundings. At this point, I didn't want to get out of the car. 
I felt myself already giving way to my emotions. My heart hurt, to see the place they
had to call home.

Emotions intact, I made my way out of the car. I immediately felt the sun as it warmed my face.
As I walked to where she was, I prayed. I asked for help, I desired Hope for this family. 
The breeze softly swayed my white skirt as walked towards her. 

My eyes scanned the area where the children were playing. I froze when I saw the children, engaged in
laughter, as they played in the water. I looked for grass, no grass just a patch here and there.
A flashing neon sign went off in my head and it read, Caution! 
Three words quickly came to mind water, dirt and mud.

I wave in Mina's direction. She waves back and greets me with a warm "hello".
She asks if we could visit outside. I respond with, "perfect."
It didn't take long before she noticed my white skirt.  We both begin to look, for a place to sit.
She reaches for a clean towel that I could sit on. She places it on the steps and  I sit. I
reach for her hand and squeeze it as I tell her all will be well.

It doesn't take long before the children notice us, sitting on the stairs. A
small boy comes near. I see the curiosity bubbling in his eyes. He looks me over
and then moves closer. He inches his way even closer and meekly he reaches for a hug. I squeeze
him tightly ignoring those three words... water, dirt and mud.

I understand his hug. We both do. With out words my purpose there is clear.
These were hugs of gratitude. He feels hope.
 I am thankful that I can help and he is thankful that I am helping.

He stretches out his arm and hands me his armless toy. I reach out to take it. I bring it close and watch
as it drips mud on my white skirt. He knew I was there to help.

Inside his home there is no couch, he can not offer me a place to sit.
Inside his home he has no cup, he can not offer me a drink.
Inside his home there is no bed, in which to lay his head.
Until today there is no hope just  this muddy armless toy.

Me keeping my skirt clean doesn't seem so important, anymore.
I remember an interview Murray gave one day.
He said,  "sometimes it may get muddy"

Today it got muddy.
Mina a young mother of four, has lived in domestic violence long enough.
She is out and her goal is to keep her family intact. She dreams of furthering her education someday.
She dropped out of school in the 7th grade and wishes to do better with her children.

She promises to someday pay it forward, because of people like you she will.

I've learned that people will forget what you said,

 people will forget what you did,

 but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou

Do all the good you can

I was feeling wimpy, alas an opportunity to rest.
Again this morning I am feeling puny but I couldn't get my self to stay in bed.

On my journey to work, I was less than motivated. Some where along the way I
maneuver my way to a local convenience store. Not even a twinge of guilt about my choice
of breakfast items. 

Finally at my destination, I situate my self in my office chair and I power up my computer.
Two screens sit directly in front of me. My cell phone in hand and the texting commences.
My office phone rings, I answer and begin to assist this person in need.

While on the phone I begin to glare at the long list of unread emails.
My day is now in full swing.

I call to chat with Jane, our former homeless mother of 8.
Jane begins to tell me of the Life Changer that brought her food.
Alive and full of hope she is in a place of her own. She speaks of going back to school,

this ignites joy within me. Content that we have made headway in this family's life.

I contact Mina, our full time student mother of 4. Her sister answers the phone and I ask to leave a
message. It is not long before she confesses, she tells of her sister being picked up by the police.
Unpaid traffic tickets will keep her in a jail cell for 19 days . She goes on to say that their heater no longer

works. The land lord resolves this by bringing them two small space heaters, instead of making repairs.

Her electricity has been suspended. This means the little food they had left has gone to waste. 

This also means darkness for those precious babies.

I am speechless and my emotions have taken over.

Preoccupied with thoughts of Mina and her children.

How will they succeed in school? How can they

focus on learning? No food.

No mother to go home to. No warmth in the home. Not even a flicker of light.

 

Emails are out and a team is forming. We will make sure this crises does not deter these children's education.

There will be no excuses.

There are too many determined Life Changers that are always busy and never stop.

 

 

 

 "Do all the good you can, By all the means you can,

 In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can,

To all the people you can, As long as you ever can."

-John Wesley

My Cowboy

Friday and finally home. I sit in the den listening to my cowboy and my
daughter, as they chat about their day. She speaks with excitement about
her new college books.
I begin to recall her first day of school. I remember them having a similar conversation
about a new box of crayons. My heart is full and I take in the moment.

My phone rings and for a moment I consider hitting ignore.
I answer and it is Jane, a homeless  young mother of 8.
She is in need of help feeding her children.

This family is safe and warm in a hotel room, courtesy of
Life Changers. I tell her I am home, which means
I am 30 minutes away. I hesitate but I tell her, I will help.

It doesn't take long before my cowboy and I are headed to town.
Chick-fil-A agrees to feed this large family. We stop to pick up food and the young
man that is getting the food together walks over to me.
He begins to bless me and speak words of encouragement. I thank him and explain that
I am merely the servant not the person in need.

We arrive at the hotel and I call Jane to let her know that we are there. It doesn't take
long before a figure appears in the stair way. A woman with a rough exterior walks towards me.
She appears broken but hopeful. She smiles and I immediately sense her tenderness.
She wraps her arms around me and thanks me for the food.

As I get back in my vehicle, I am grateful for my cowboy. He is saddened at what he just witnessed.
As we drive off, I place my hands over my face and I begin to weep. I grieve for this woman and her children.

My heart aches that they feel alone and defeated. I desire education and success for them.

He reaches for my hand and immediately I am comforted.
I choke on my words as I try and express my gratitude for our ability to serve.

Life Changers are people with purpose. We dream of saving the world one family at a time.
 

“Every day you have the opportunity to learn and experience some-thing and some-one new.

Seize the opportunity.

Learn and experience everything you can, and use it to change the world.”

 

Rodney Williams

A relationship worth mending...........

"If someone shows you who they are believe them" Maya Angelo

We are blessed with all different types of relationships. All of them necessary at some point in
our life and not one of them easy. Relationships take work.
We have work relationships, family relationships, marital relationships,parental relationships and so many others.
 Lets talk about work relationships. They are necessary but  may only be temporary. If I work at Walmart I may have work relationships while I am employed there. I say hello talk about
what I did on the weekend and every now and then share a little about my personal life. These relationships are necessary, they allow me to feel a part of this environment.
When I move on I may not stay connected with these relationships. I will gain new ones at my new place of employment. It is possible to take some of these relationships with me but for the most part I will leave most of them behind.
Remember our friends in high school, college, first job, and old neighborhoods. Take a minute and think about how many of these we are still connected to. It is not that we didn't work at staying connected it is just that those relationships were for that season in our life. We learn and grow with everyone we meet. We are better people for having met all of these people.

Tyler Perry aka Madea explains it something like this.
Relationships are like trees. Some of the people in our lives are the leaves, they sway when the wind blows and during certain seasons fall away. We can all recall of people in our lives that fell away when we
were faced with a storm, well they were our leaves. We have all made the mistake of trying to hold on to people that we should of  let go. It is necessary to let go of the leaves so we can grow new ones. We damage not only ourselves but we damage others by holding on to something we should let go of.
 It is hurtful and not necessary.
Some are like branches and appear sturdy and strong until you walk out on the limb. Most of the branches are not strong enough to hold us up. Remember a new friendship when you are beginning to trust. Maybe a new boyfriend or a teammate. If we walk out on that limb to soon it is not capable of holding us. Trust is something that is earned with time. A branch has taken time to grow and when it is broken it can not be repaired.
Now the roots of a tree are what keep the tree standing. Through it all the roots remain. 
At the beginning they are not obviously apparent but when the storm comes and the wind begins to blow you will see them. I like redwood trees. If you have ever studied redwoods you know that they can not stand without joining with the roots of  the trees standing near by.  Redwoods are  typically 350 feet in height and the roots reach no deeper than 6-12 feet and are only 1 inch in diameter. Small but mighty.
You ask how does a redwood remain upright. They grow close together intermingling root systems.
This is what I call connecting. You help your neighbor when you connect them to other roots. This helps all of us to remain standing.
My friend Anette is a root, she is small but mighty. I take great pride in standing near her. She teaches and is not shy to learn from others. She has taught me that it all starts with one tree...... the right tree. Then sooner or later you have a forrest. A forrest that provides shelter and aid to all that live in it.
Redwoods are also resistant to fires and rot. I want to be like a redwood I want to survive the fires in life and
endure all the rotten stuff this world has to offer. So that I may help others do the same.

Todays blog inspired by my friend Angi Lange

Walmart

A few days ago my husband and I went to walmart to purchase juice. We were strolling through the store
and noticed a clearance table with new computers. The sign stated that the computers were 50% off.
We considered purchasing one but decided it would be best to go home and sleep on it.
Here we are the next day and we return to our local Walmart. On this day the sign states that the
computers are 75% off. We proceed to purchase the Compaq computer with a flat screen monitor
for $107.00 and this is including tax. Yeah me.
Great deals are out there you just have to know where to look.
Every store has a designated area where they have clearance items.
There is a difference between a sale item and a clearance item. A sale item is when a store sends out a circular with certain items on sale. Some of the items in the circular are what we call "loss leaders". Loss leaders are items that the store puts on sale either at cost or below cost. This is to entice the consumer to visit their store. They do this knowing that when a consumer visits their store, the customer will not only purchase  sale  items, but chances are that the consumer will  purchase other things as well.
A clearance item is an item that a store may have an excess of, seasonal items or older model items. For instance the clearance computers at Walmart were last years model. Walmart needed to make room for this years model so they had no choice but to drop the price on the older models. With the bulk of sales that Walmart has made in this one store alone, placing these computers on clearance did not damage their bottom line.  I am a happy walmart consumer proud of my clearance purchase and I will return knowing I may  encounter another great deal. I will continue to help build their bottom line.
I am shopping today .............................

In the Pit of Poverty

I am reading a book called "Get out of the Pit" by Beth Moore.
Beth talks about the different ways we can get into a pit, as well as, how we can get out of a pit.
She is clear on the fact that no one makes it out alone.
It made me think of poverty. There are certainly different types of poverty
generational, situational, working class, immigrant and many others. There is also only one way out(education) of poverty and be assured that no one makes it out alone.
A young mother living the American dream wakes up one morning and realizes her husband is no
longer there. No longer a man to care and support her and their two children. First to go is her
self confidence, then her home, her car,  and simply life as she knows it.
This is the pit of  Situational Poverty.  In this pit there is a villain that takes away her dignity, hope and dreams. In return he gives her shame, hopelessness, and discouragement. As she sits in this pit, her vision is no longer clear and hope seems foolish. Imagine sitting in a pit and visualize what you would see.
The only way out is for someone to give her a hand  up or for someone to throw her a rope.
She may be afraid to climb out alone. Perhaps because she has two children she is unwilling to put them down to hold on to the hand or the rope. If we are truly wanting to help her and her children. We may have to go down into the pit and get her. Some times it is not enough to throw her a rope (money). She needs a mentor to walk at her side. To tell her she can.
Are we willing to climb into a pit to help her and her children out? Are we willing to get dirty to help her? Our neighbors (people in poverty)are counting on us for a glimpse of hope, for a glimpse of a future and maybe just a glimpse of what its like outside of the pit.