Shalom lovely people's!
Lately, I have realized a simple truth, I care what people think about me (don't we all?)…
1. I am self-conscious when I show up sweaty to class because I biked there even though there are no "superfly" boys I'm trying to impress.
2. I recently had to job search and in the process of trying to "sell" myself realized I evaluated each potential job based on whether I would "fit in" with the crowd. Kind of ironic seeing as I got a job at an AMAZING place called "Bread & Cup" which is comprised of "hipsters" and "indies" who are the bomb.com but I would not necessarily put myself in either category.
Melissa, myself, and Jake hard at work in the kitchen. too legit.
3. I finished my final paperwork to be able to volunteer at "Peoples City Mission" in Lincoln (Mission: reach out to the homeless, helping them make the necessary steps to get out of poverty) and felt extremely out of place when I pulled up to the shelter with my nike shorts and shoes. I thought "why am I doing this? All they will see is a rich white girl from the suburbs, what do I have to offer?" and I almost let my insecurities drive me away until I saw a precious little boy in the waiting room who was full of energy and life, documents officially turned in. -Proverbs 22:2
4. I lead Young Life and everytime we awkwardly walk into a high school and creepily introduce ourselves to new kids, I am always worried about if they will think I'm "cool". Really? I've reached the point of putting my value in high school students (No offense my young friends)? Moral of the story: those days don't end…EVER…even when were mature, sophisticated adults we still care what pe0ple around us think.
God has been teaching me something very simple. Regardless of appearance, where we hang out, or our hobbies, were all a family. My brothers and sisters come from all walks of life and as a lover of Jesus, I am to love them all without judgement (ex: If a homeless mans wish is a pack of cig's, so be it). I always vocalized my love and acceptance for people of all classes and race but acting on it, that my friend, is a different story.
To be honest, I don't know what it necessarily means to truly & deeply love my neighbor. A statement so simple yet it's like this…I bottle it up, inviting my friends to join me for a drink, instead of building a well for all to gather and draw from. You see, if I truly love God then my love for him spills out and results in me loving others. A love that only see's the person, everything else (the people watching, the place, the time) blurrs out in the distance. That is genuine love, a person who see's the help that is needed and instantly delivers it without hesitating.
My friends, I think this is the love Jesus wants us to spread. This is the love that I find difficult to give. This is the love that demands the most of us. This is the love I pray for.
Have a blessed day!
Your friend,
Ellie
"The truth about it is, whether we is rich or poor or something in between, this earth ain't no final restin place. So in a way we is all homeless – just workin our way toward home." -Same kind of different as me
A sweet little video that brings together a little flavor & beauty from everywhere!
