Update: I sent out my resume to a bunch of places yesterday and am still searching for jobs in the social work field. I am also looking into Graduate schools! I have been busy trying to not get overwhelmed by the amount of options this world has to offer. I could get my Master's in New Zealand if I really wanted.
Well, besides me staying busy with real life stuff I have began volunteering down at the Hospitality Center in Norristown (a homeless day shelter). I love having time every week to give me a reality check. Hardship, poverty, homelessness…none of it discriminates. I could one day have to humble myself to get help so I can receive my basic needs, but no one plans to ever have to go to those places for services. However, I sit at the front desk and watch the people. Some grateful for the services and some feeling they are entitled to things. Who could blame them though?
Think about it…what do you feel entitled to? A roof over your head, 3 meals a day, fresh fruits and veggies, new clothes, a shower, a car…YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO ANYTHING! Nothing you own is your own anyways, it all belongs to the Creator and he is the one who GAVE it to you. Everything you own is something to be grateful for. I hope you let that humbling reality sink into this holiday season and let it be a time of true thanksgiving and praise (I am speaking to myself as well)!
At the Hospitality Center the lady who gave the devotion while I was there gave an unexpected talk. She talked about this entitlement, how the people working there didn't have to volunteer to help them, how some people are rude who come in, how there is lack of appreciation…she gave them feedback (for those of you not on the WR it is nicely calling someone up to be better). What stood out to me were these phrases:
We need each other
We are a community and we have divided ourselves into classes. We are supposed to help each other out no matter how much you have because we are all equal. Some of the early Christians sold all they had and gave it to the poor! But I think that many of us give to make our hearts feel just okay, but never until it hurts. It often isn't much of a sacrifice to give…yet look at what Jesus sacrificed for us…he have of himself until he died so that we could be free!
If you are wanting to give this season and don't know where to…the Hospitality Center is in need of some things:
-full size deodorants
-travel size toothpaste
-blankets and towels (can be used)
-tube socks (imagine wearing the same socks for days)
-gloves, hats, scarves
-paper products (plates, cups, paper towels, bowls)… (they go through 100 coffee cups a day)
-breakfast foods that do not need extensive cooking…hard boiled eggs, cereal, breads, spreads
-coffee
They do not take many clothes because of the space they have, but going through your closet and giving it to a charity is another great way to give.
If you want to give internationally there is the Nyongesa family in Kenya who is in financial need because of a terrible accident. They need to come up with 5000 USD (420,000 Kenyan Shillings) to pay for their medical bills (the Bishop and his two sons were in the hospital for days). If you would like to bless this family send me a message!
