Plenty vs. Want

Sunday, the girls and I got lunch and then took some to Morgan out at our new land. He was working out there, cleaning up some more stuff. I took a bunch of pictures, since I took my good camera. The girls had fun playing too.

The water was way far out that day! I realized just how shallow it is for pretty far out. There were lots and lots of seashells, but no way to get down there. It drops off about 5 feet down, so Morgan said he will build us a little ladder after we move :)
The shore isn't so pretty when all the water is out (I guess due to all the winds we've been having). I counted at least 40 tires! Morgan said after we left, he went down there and saw a couple of the insides of a washing machine. LOL! I guess all that stuff washed ashore during Hurricane Ike.
Here's a cute little shack we have on there. We think we'll leave it and fix it up a little. It looks charming and rustic. Maybe the girls can use it for a playhouse or we can fix it for our outside dog to sleep in.
The view from the main road.
Here's the house next door that we almost bought!
See how far the water had blown out?! If you look ever further, you can see the birds just walking around in the water. It's shallow quite a ways out.
I posted this on FB yesterday. It cracks me up, with her feet all out like that. LOL! Morgan lowered the tire swing to make it easier for the girls to get on, but Lily was scared and I suggested she sit inside it like a horsey and that seemed to work for her. :D
Morgan is pretty much ready to get the dirt in there so they can put the forms up for the foundation to be poured. Last time when we built this house, it only took about a month from the time the foundation was poured, until the house was framed and the roof was on. So, hopefully it won't be long before we start seeing some real progress!

In other news, I'm almost finished reading "Under the Overpass" by Mike Yankoski. Stephanie reviewed it and it sounded really good, so I downloaded it to my Nook. It's been really thought-provoking and eye-opening. It's the story of a Christian college student who was at church one day and he felt the Lord calling him to truly depend on His provision for the simplest of needs by living on the streets for 5 months in different US cities. It really makes you look at homelessness in a different way. It has really gotten me to thinking about the simple things I could do to offer hope in Jesus' name to the homeless people that I am always seeing around my town. He talks about how there were so few people who would actually offer them a meal, etc. And sadly, he chronicles so many "church" people who turned them away because they had more important church business to attend to. Unbelievable! When "the church" is too busy doing "church" things, instead of loving God's people, then they aren't much of a church, are they?!

Yes, I suppose I am naive in my thinking. I know tons of people beg for money so they can get their next "fix". But, it bothers me when I hear Christians complaining about the man on the corner who has been out there for years begging. What do they expect him to do? He most likely stinks to high heaven and looks a fright (at least that's what the author describes happened to him!). How's he going to get a job? According to the author, they would sometimes stand in line all day long at the shelter, only to be turned away at the end of the day due to it being full capacity. When we judge the homeless and how they may use the couple of dollars we spare, we are assuming that we are better than them because "we have our act together." I don't know about you, but I don't remember the bible saying that Jesus loves those who have a job and a home more than those who stand out on the corner wondering where their next meal might come from, hoping it won't have to be dug out of the trash. I do remember it saying that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for HIM. This book has just really challenged me not to assume anything and not to pretend that I am better, and that I must look for ways daily to serve others in Jesus' name. So far, I realize I have done very little, pretty much nothing. My faith is nothing; my knowledge is nothing; the challenge I've felt from this book is nothing, if I don't put it into action. I remember reading "Same Kind of Different as Me" and in it, Denver, who used to be homeless, says for us to look at what that money says that we give away. It says, "In God we Trust". When we give in God's name, we should not worry about what they will do with that money. We just have to do our part and God will do His.

I was looking at a Houston shelter's website and they gave a great suggestion of what you can hand out to the homeless, instead of money. They explained how this is very safe too. The director puts together bags filled with toiletries, band-aids, toilet paper, maybe some non-perishable snacks and food, and a bottle of water. When he sees someone in need, he gives them one of these. How simple would it be to have those handy in your car?! I am always hesitant to hand out money to the man I see all the time on the Interstate on my way to dance, because I have the girls with me. But, how easy would it be to roll down the window and hand him something like that? Oh, and they suggested putting a handwritten note of encouragement in there too. I love this idea and I'm definitely going to do it.

Anyhow, I was just thinking about how this post contrasts so much. I start out talking about my new home we're about to build and then end up advocating for the homeless. Obviously, I know nothing about what it means to trust God for my basic survival. But, I love to share what I'm learning and what God is stirring in my heart. I pray that He will use me for the plans that He has. I don't want to be someone who talks the talk, but doesn't DO anything!