my grandfather wrote me this the other day: "Eventually you will recognize that the vast majority of the people whose benefit you work for are only interested in taking the fish ( in response to the adage about teaching people to fish, instead of just giving it to them)and aren´t even gracious about that. This realization might be a pyschological downer for you and you might re-examine your fundamentals. "
i think that he's been hurt, and taken advantage of. And while i have been too, i think that's where we need to let grace fill in the gaps.
i think that it's very difficult to have rules on such things as generosity and mercy.or at least i do, because i refuse to live my life in a way that is untrusting, unhopeful (are those words?). so maybe my help comes out in one of those tips(like offer to out the gas in their car or buy them a meal instead of giving them cash), or maybe i decide that someone is standing in front of me asking for help and i do. or i don't. but i trust that the God that i love and serve, who happens to be the God that loves that person can redeem that situation, that person, and myself.
i guess that's not a real answer but, i don't think most of our big questions have really easy answers, probably only more questions.
but at this moment i'm choosing to embrace the questions.
maybe it's "complex" when it doesn't have to be... i think that having to have an answer ahead of time,being prepared, rules out that relationship plays a part in that interaction...even if you just met that person. and in relationship you just have to struggle to respond in the most loving way......and that looks different depending on the circumstances.
I read that verse and was convicted to just give to those who beg without questioning whether or not they were going to buy drugs. I did it for a while. It was super hard, and to be honest I don't keep it up anymore. I really struggle with that one. The verse seems pretty straightforward but it's hard to hand over cash to someone who is so drunk they can barely stand up. Does Jesus really want me to give money to that guy?
my grandfather wrote me this the other day: "Eventually you will recognize that the vast
ReplyDeletemajority of the people whose benefit you work for are only interested in
taking the fish ( in response to the adage about teaching people to fish, instead of just giving it to them)and aren´t even gracious about that. This realization might
be a pyschological downer for you and you might re-examine your
fundamentals. "
i think that he's been hurt, and taken advantage of. And while i have been too, i think that's where we need to let grace fill in the gaps.
i think that it's very difficult to have rules on such things as generosity and mercy.or at least i do, because i refuse to live my life in a way that is untrusting, unhopeful (are those words?). so maybe my help comes out in one of those tips(like offer to out the gas in their car or buy them a meal instead of giving them cash), or maybe i decide that someone is standing in front of me asking for help and i do. or i don't. but i trust that the God that i love and serve, who happens to be the God that loves that person can redeem that situation, that person, and myself.
i guess that's not a real answer but, i don't think most of our big questions have really easy answers, probably only more questions.
but at this moment i'm choosing to embrace the questions.
but can it really be as simple as helping those we feel like we should and trusting that god is taking care of all?
ReplyDeletethat's not what i had meant.
ReplyDeletei know, but such a simple idea gets so stinkin' complex so quickly... goo
ReplyDeletemaybe it's "complex" when it doesn't have to be... i think that having to have an answer ahead of time,being prepared, rules out that relationship plays a part in that interaction...even if you just met that person. and in relationship you just have to struggle to respond in the most loving way......and that looks different depending on the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteDo you guys remember that you live together and we could actually talk this conversation out?
ReplyDeleteOh wait, I live with y'all too.
i know i live with him, i see his coffee cups, or flip flops or mostly done crossword puzzles lying around....
ReplyDeleteI read that verse and was convicted to just give to those who beg without questioning whether or not they were going to buy drugs. I did it for a while. It was super hard, and to be honest I don't keep it up anymore. I really struggle with that one. The verse seems pretty straightforward but it's hard to hand over cash to someone who is so drunk they can barely stand up. Does Jesus really want me to give money to that guy?
ReplyDelete