A double portion

This evening I found myself beside a familiar face. My red-bearded friend has been homeless for about a year now, and his job searching is not yielding much success in our glorious Michigan economy.

We chatted for a bit, but I am also learning how to enjoy silence. He's a quiet guy for the most part. The great thing about silence is that it allows even the quiet people a chance to speak what's on their mind. My friend had dinner on the mind. it was already 9:30 and I am sure that he must have been hungry, as he had missed his only opportunity for what he called "a meal hardly worth eating." I may think to myself that he shouldn't be picky- it's a free meal! But then I've never had to live that life. I am absolutely certain that I would complain.

I knew that he mentioned dinner for a reason, but I was not feeling very generous. In fact, I was thinking, "I don't go out to eat, why should I take him out?" But this is a half truth. I DO go out to eat. I just try not to. And though my money has only been going out of my pocket this summer, I am about to begin work again, my unlimited meal plan has begun and I have more work opportunities than one person could possibly take.

Grudgingly, I handed him five dollars. I thought about praying for him or something, but it seemed completely unnecessary. We hugged and went our separate ways. I was consoled as I recalled the verse:

"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?'" (James 2:16)

But the consolation had only begun. An hour later, I received this email:

Dear Abigail:

You have been selected for a brief online survey about college student mental health. We have sent a letter to your campus address with $10 and information about how to participate. The letter should arrive shortly, and we will also send a separate email in a couple days.

Please note that the online survey is formatted for the computer but not a handheld device, so we recommend using a computer. Participation is completely voluntary and confidential. As noted above, you will receive more information shortly. Your perspective as a RA would be very valuable. Thank you for considering this!


-Daniel

Thank you God for accepting my grudging offering, and for giving me a double portion.

Life in transit

"It seems like I'm behind on everything but this moment."

I've been thinking a lot lately. Giving my brain a good workout. I'm processing... everything. Adjusting from life on Summer Missions, jumping back and forth between Ann Arbor and home and counting down the days before East Quad move in (t minus 11 days). I've been living out of my car for nearly a week, and today I am simultaneously unpacking and packing.

Music has returned to my life, or perhaps I have returned to music. Spontaneity is also here for the moment. I am wallowing in this freedom to go where the wind takes me. Somehow I find myself at the Washtenaw dairy in deep conversation, then kayaking down the river and chasing ducks, then getting my toenails painted by fellas. What I love the most is that there is time to be there for people. I can offer rides, help people move, sit and talk, teach guitar, say a prayer, or send a letter. I really want to make this a priority in life. I don't want to always be so busy that I can't be there for someone. Still, I am behind. I am wading through a swamp of unreplied emails and trying to excercise wisdom in WHO I teach guitar to, WHEN to sit and talk, and HOW OFTEN I go floating down the river. Even writing a blog post feels like a guilty pleasure that should be put off until I'm not so behind.

My friend Eduardo: Be where you are
My friend Andrew: Finish what you started
A Disney movie : Keep moving forward
Another Disney : Just keep swimming


"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."

Life in transit.