1 in 5 people in a soup kitchen line is a child.

I just got finished watching a TV show that pointed out the importance of honoring our war vets. The particular honored man was found died in a park in DC from weather exposer, being homeless of course instigated these conditions and gave a perfect frame to the show's writer. The man on the park bench represented a story of a man that had fought for this country and for some unknown reason died in one of the most dishonoring ways; cold, dirty, and alone. The only family that he had was another homeless brother, who only found out about his brother 's death because another man took the time to find him and tell him. This other man also took this opportunity to attempt to honor the war vets efforts by scheduling a proper funeral service.

So what does all of this have to do with children standing in a soup kitchen line? Of course my heart went out to this man and all of the other homeless men and women out there. After watching the show I felt motivated to do something, anything to help these people. I would love to say that I was motivated to share Christ's love with them, but honestly I just can't stand the idea that people are freezing at night, because they hear from the shelters that in like Mary and Joseph, there's no more room in the inn.

My first google search was "homeless facts in America" and low and behold I came across a site that definitely made my jaw drop. There were many facts that I already was well aware of; however, three of them stood out like a sore thumb. 

1. The average age of a homeless person in the United States is nine years old.

2. Nationally, one in five people in a soup kitchen line is a child.

3. Less than 6% of the homeless are homeless by choice.

Seriously, how is it possible to be one of the most influential countries and at the same time have these facts ring true of your homeland. I originally thought I would find facts on old war vets being the average age of a homeless person, or making up the majority of the soup kitchen lines.  Not that it was a 9 yr old child, starving, uneducated, and forced to live on the streets! What is our nation coming too!!!!!!! 

Okay, I can't just sit back and let this happen, right? I should rise up and do something to change these kids lives, to change the destiny of a child by giving them food, shelter, and an opportunity to walk into their original design by God. But what?!?!? I could become a teacher? or social worker? I could volunteer at a soup kitchen? I could donate money to other non-profits? Or I could continue to rely on the government to collect tax dollars to go towards taking care of a problem that I am too lazy to fight myself, while at the same time complaining that the Obama care doesn't make since when I bet it is a direct response to this problem. 

I used to have a negative opinion of the free lunch program at schools, mostly because I more concerned about my pocket book continuing to grow slim than the mouths it was actually feeding. Now I see that I'm wrong, maybe these programs aren't started to steal my money, but instead they are someone else's attempt to solve this problem in our country. Maybe next time I open my mouth to vomit yet another one of my negative political opinions, I will do some research to see who really is benefiting from the politicians efforts; however, misguided they may seem to be, I can not for one second say I wouldn't do the same if I had some power to help these children. 

I would love to hear how you think we should approach this problem in our country. What are you doing to fight for the orphans in your neighborhood? And what do you think I should do? 

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27) 

Brandy 

Running From Jesus

I have been a Christian for 13 years. Back in August of 2000 I can remember praying that God would come into my life and help me to live for him, regardless of my motives or naive perspective I know that day was the day that changed my life forever. It brought me face to face with who I was and what I was running from. I didn't know that the journey that I would be taken on would have ups and downs, twists and turns, and red lights at times, but I knew beyond a shadow of doubt that this God that I had been hearing about would truly supply all my needs as long as I sought first His kingdom and righteousness.

For months after I was attending Cornerstone Church of Escondido, I would also head down to the Rock in San Diego. Each Sunday night I would feel this overwhelming feeling of needing to accept all over again the same truth I had heard the week prior. Some how in the 7 days between I had decided to run again. Was it out of habit, fear, or stupidity that I found myself turned around again, needing to desperately repent? Out of desperation I walked to the front each week, for 6 weeks! It was not until one of my dearest friends said that I didn't need to go forward each week, I was not accepting Christ for the first time. Dumbfounded and a little embarrassed I stopped going up and in that moment I have often thought I lost a little bit of God's heart for mine. In the first year of my walk with Jesus I was so in love with Him. I couldn't get enough! Had I kept going forward, repenting, pleading with God to help me not to run, would I be closer to Him today. Would I still struggle with the same tendency to run and hide when I have hurt Him? What used to take 7 days could have been reduced to minutes, had I kept the discipline of repentance, but instead I find that it takes weeks or even months to allow God to truly show me the sin in certain areas of my life.

In fact, it took me about 4 weeks to finally sit down and write this blog. As I finished my work out this morning I was struck by this sense that I had to be sitting in front of the computer by 8 am to write or else. Not sure what the or else would have been and when you're dealing with the God of this universe you don't really want to find out. So here I am, waiting to hear God just lay into me. To remind me once again of how I have failed Him, neglected my relationship, not called on Him, emailed Him, facebooked Him, or texted. He tried over and over again to get a hold of me and I just ignored Him. If I sat down with Him this morning I assumed that he would remind of the same things I already felt condemned about. How could I say I have been a Christian for 13 years when there seemed to be this huge void in our relationship. Isn't that the difference between Christianity and other religions, the relationship? Shouldn't I know that and practice that? Others are watching, I need to set a good example of what it means to be a Jesus lover, right?

Wrong!!!!! As I listed off all of this things that I truly sucked at, all I heard was "Brandy I love you! Shut up." Now, whether or not God could actually use that language is another debate, worthy of a blog in the future, but for now we will just let it go. For 15 minutes all I heard was how God had not left me or abandoned me in this hell whole. I was not alone, responsible for figuring it all out, earning more money to pay off my debt, or even needing to do double workouts to get healthy. I needed to rest in my Papa's arms, let Him show off. He wanted to pay off my student loans, credit cards, and even car loan. He wanted to provide for me an amazing husband in His timing, one who would show me just how much His love for me abounded and stood the test of time. Through all of the ups and downs, twists and turns, and even red lights, His love never stopped pouring out. His reach was never too far from my running that I couldn't turn around and find Him right there.

So, as I walk on this journey of unexpectedness I ask that you who are walking alongside me challenge me. Challenge me to see God in each moment, run back to him in the dark and light hours of each day, and fall madly in love Him each minute. As you do, I am positive that God will do the same for you. He will use me to challenge you, hold you up, and remind you that there is grace for this life, joy in the morning, and a hope for the future. We are not abandoned by our true Heavenly Father, we just need to stop running from Him.

Brandy