Give Me A Break!

There are several debilitating statements that drive me nuts. The “There is nothing to do!” statement in particular, mainly because it has developed into an attitude of “There is nothing I can do”.

Folks, there is always something you can do. My parents are in their late seventies, yet each year they travel from Ontario to Texas, Florida and BC. No, not to vacation, but to build low income housing. Sure they have their ailments like everyone else, but they have worked on correcting any negative attitudes regarding those ailments. They like many others have repented of self-centeredness and self pity. They have dumped the “Poor Me” and do not expect everyone to understand what they are “going through”. We too must challenge the sin of self pity and self criticism.

Far too many of us are held back by self imposed barriers of fear. If you dwell on your fears you will avoid forming relationships and withdraw further into the wasteland of loneliness. II Timothy 1:7 God has not given us the spirit of fear.

“Reach Out & Touch Someone”, is far more than a slogan for a telephone
Service. We must take the initiative to reach others. Proverbs 18:24 For
a man to have friends he must show himself friendly.

I heard a wonderful story regarding the days shortly after the tragic events at Virginia Tech. An elderly woman took her two dogs to the campus. Young people would stop her and inquire if they could pet the dogs. “Yes dear, of course, that is why we are here”, was her reply. It seems she wanted to do something for the students in the wake of the mass murders. All she could think about was how her dogs gave her comfort. So off she went. The sign she posted beside her said, “Need love? Please pet my dogs.” You see, there is always something you can do!

Relationships do not just happen. They take time and effort. Yes they are risky, but it is a risk worth taking. The creator of Peanuts said, “Life is like a ten-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use.”

Finally why not volunteer to help out in the community. Strange but true, you find yourself by giving yourself away.

If you are given the chance to sit it out or dance… I hope you dance!
Pastor Ed Brouwer, The Gathering Place