UNcomfortable

Today, God had me out of my comfort zone. Seriously so.

Not only did he have me at a yard-sale type event, where my OCD really flares up, He had me out in the heat & humidity. To top that, He had me talking to people. I usually talk to people from the safety of this side of my computer screen. Rarely even on the phone.

Today, though, I learned about some of the folks who came to our church’s Clothing Give-A-Way — a free “sale” of clothing for all ages, including some household supplies and even some furniture.

I met “K” – a precious two-year-old boy who was keeping his mom company on the porch at the church. He patiently sat in his stroller while she waited for her sister and friend to finish shopping. He had a smile bright as the dawn, though he didn’t share it a lot. I learned that his mom is only eight classes from becoming an RN and his dad just received his Master’s degree in education. Dad longs to become a coach at one of the schools in the area. Looking at K, he might be one of the best players he will have in the future.

I also met “A”. She’s ten years old with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She came with friends and ended up sharing that her mom is currently in jail for possession of drugs and other charges. A wanted to see her today, and would be able so since she’s the daughter, but there are only certain adults who can go with her. Unfortunately, no one on the list seemed to be willing or able to take her to visit with her mother. Her tears broke my heart. She is a beautiful young girl who is trapped in a world of drug and alcohol addiction and the denial that goes with it.

I heard about “Mrs. A”, who is concerned for her adult children. Although she’d raised them in church, none of them attend. During this battle she herself is fighting with colon cancer, she prays for them, hoping they’ll return to faith in God.

I listened to “D”, one of our ladies from church who regularly visits Alzheimer’s patients in the nursing home. They aren’t her family, but she visits them anyway, offering loving care for folks whose families have a difficult time understanding or dealing with their loved one’s status.

I was uncomfortable today. According to my daughter-in-law, that’s exactly where I’m supposed to be, that if I’m comfortable I won’t be learning new things and won’t be working as hard as I should.

She might be on to something there. It was a great experience I will treasure.

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