Focus on Others....Who Me?

A couple of weeks ago on a very hot evening, I was helping out at church with a group who arrived by bus from a Single Women's Shelter. The church was hostessing an over-flow of women that all might have a good, safe night's rest. I think there were about 20 women that night and we, having an excess of food from another outing, were able to provide the women with good food to eat as well as a good place to sleep.

I was privileged to hand out the sheets and blankets, etc and when I finished, I went to sit and visit. Now, I have never been really good at starting conversations and I wondered what I could ask them. God showed me later that I had led the conversation to something to which I could relate. It was just a way to make myself comfortable or possibly even to put me in a favorable light. God says, "Shame on you!!" for those antics, and I say, "Shame on me!"

A friend of mine once said to me,"Just once I wish someone would ask me a question!" She was exellent at starting conversations and no one could ever say that she talked about herself, as I have a tendency to do. Now I envied her that talent, but never taught myself how to do it.

I must be a slow learner, because at my age I should have learned by now how to get people to talk about themselves. And I have now written down some simple questions to ask these ladies at the next opportunity. I will memorize them, if I must! "Where did you grow up?" "Have you lived in AZ long?" "Where did you live before?" "Do you have brothers and sisters?" "Did you like school?" "Are you still able to see your old friends?" "I love animals, did you have any pets?" "What did you want to be when you grew up?"

I will not ask all of these things or they will think they are taking a lie-detector test! But these should give us a starting place and the trick, for me, will be to keep the conversation going by remembering, "It's all about the other person!"

My scripture for journaling yesterday was from James. Anyone surprised? And yes, I did write about this humbling experience. James 3:14,15 (THE MESSAGE)"Mean spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourself sound wise isn't wisdom....It's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others, or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats."

I don't need to compare my life with the lives of these women other than how our lives are blessed. They may be blessed with having a safe place to sleep. I am blessed because we can offer it. I don't need to be popular there. They don't need my credentials. They just want to be safe for the night, and in an air-conditioned building and not under a bridge.

I just thank God for opening my eyes to my selfish spirit in conversation. Me, me, me would bore the bloomers off of these good women who have hit a bad batch and aren't looking for anything but a little unselfishness.

Thanks for listening to my hard-earned insight! I hope it might help someone out there who struggles with this problem of "how to get the other person talking."

Fondly, Jo
HMMM! I wonder if my extra pair of jeans will fit anybody next week?

Hello, again! We're back from the great state of MN to the mountain..of laundry, having left our family after celebrating birthdays, marriages, and weddings, as well as a bon voyage for our son on his way to Denmark. A most happy and eventful week was spent in MN. Our home here in Mesa, and Max, our Pomeranian, were glad to see us as we were them. And I'm back to journaling on a regular basis.

So, today, when reading Isaiah, I stumbled along the road to the Holy Places. While reading Chapter 35, verses 8 through 10, I bumped into these most joyous words: "There will be a highway called the Holy Road...Only the redeemed will walk on it. The people God has ransomed will come back on this road. They'll sing as they make their way home to Zion, unfading halos of joy encircling their heads, welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night."

What an incredible gift to be on a special hike with God's people! And no one else! Will we recognize those we know? I hope so! Ah, the joy of it and the privilege! You can't get lost on this road, so the scripture says, nor may you be rude or rebellious. No danger or nothing threatening is allowed. There will be spring water and cool oases, the lame will leap, the dumb sing and all wrongs will be righted. What a privilege! What a joy divine!

Thank you, Lord God, for the beauty of it. In advance, we thank you for our Salvation, even until the end! We ask that all things may become clear and explained, Lord. May we by faith and work become the stepping stone for others to know you. And on this road, Lord, may we meet the friends and family--and perhaps even strangers--that have met you through knowing us. And this would be for me the greatest miracle gift!

Praise you, God...Almighty Lord.......of All!

It's nice to be back.

Your friend, Jo

BLESSINGS, THE FRUIT OF SUFFERINGS

Way back in 2007, I wrote in my journal about Psalm 116, verses 7 and 8. I'm still impressed by what the psalm says, "Relax and rest, God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you've been rescued from death; Eye, you've been rescued from tears; and you, Foot, were kept from stumbling." Nice, huh?

I'm amazed by how it touches me, and agree with it all the way. However, rest may not yet come to all of us. God keeps showing us where He is at work and invites us to work along side of Him.

Every other week on a specific day at 6:15 in the evening, a group of women meet at their church to welcome a bus filled with single homeless women. They come to have a safe place to sleep for the night and get a shower and clean sheets, and possibly a treat of some kind. Their hearts are so thankful, their spirits so open to the grace and kindness offered them. They are known to one another and like sisters each wants the best for the others.

I am honored to be part of the welcoming group. And I pray that God will bless these women who have not seen much welcome by anyone in a long time. But God will always open His arms in welcome and the women seem to understand that. They seem to welcome Him right back by their appreciation and thankfulness. They have found the blessing in their suffering.

Lord, I just pray that these women whose names I as yet don't know will continue to see your blessings, and to know how much you long to continue blessing them. Help us all to understand how even harsh situations can become the greatest blessing to those who love and trust You. Though we are slow learners in learning to trust, grant that your love and patience will find the way to our inner souls.

God, I offer you my praise and thanks for the opportunity of working by your side. AMEN