How Can You Help?
Karen Brown of Liberty, MO, USA
Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. -1 Peter 3:10-11
Do you ever wonder how someone who is able-bodied can become homeless? I can tell you. A young man at our church got in financial trouble and has been staying with friends. He needs to get a job to pay for a place to stay (even friends won’t support you forever); however, he can’t get a job. He thought he had one, but got a call saying after they did his background check, they were withdrawing the job offer. He is certain he knows why.
About a year ago his “girlfriend” gave his car to a drug dealer. He had some tickets that needed resolved, and he couldn’t drive, so he wasn’t too concerned that the old car was gone. Then he got a call from the FBI. It seems his car was discovered in Maryland (he has been in Missouri continuously for several years). It was part of a drug bust. And to top it all off, the offenders (who were arrested in the car) had stolen his identification using the registration that was in the car. Now, he can’t get a job (he’s sure it’s because he has a criminal record, even though it certainly wasn’t him), and the employer that had the background check done won’t give him a print out of it. The FBI said they were trying to resolve the stolen ID situation, but he doesn’t know what they have done or are doing.
How long will friends continue to financially support him? How long until everyone says, “No, we will not take you in again,” and he is on the streets? How many of those you see on the streets are there because of similar situations? What can you do to help?
Prayer Phrase
I surrender into your love, O God.
Spiritual Practice
Surrender
What might it look like to surrender a little to God each day? A simple prayer of surrender can help us become aware of God’s consistent invitations to deeper relationship and awareness. Imagine when you encounter a challenging person or situation silently uttering this prayer, “I surrender into your love, O God.” The same prayer can be meaningful in moments of joy and gratitude as a way of returning to the awareness of oneness with God. It’s ok if we don’t surrender everything all at once all the time. The prayer of surrender is a constant practice of returning little by little to the deepest love that is the ground of our being and desires wholeness and oneness for us and all creation.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
