I am glad i get to blog again (i originally started this b/c i was subbing a lot and had tons of time on a computer so once again, i am back subbing, thus i am blogging)
Throughout the last few years of my life, I have been very attracted to the idea of Redistribution. There are 3 R's which are used frequently w/ the
CCDA they are Relocation (moving into the neighborhood) Reconciliation (between God and each other w/ your neighbors) and Redistribution (of oneself and materials).
Of these three redistribution has caught my attention, partly due to slowing becoming a man of
business and of economics. The thrift store that i am a part of is also looked at as a redistrbution of goods to those who our local community. Some middle class some lower class some even upper class. I am reading a book by Robert D. Lupton called "Compassion, Jusice, and the Christian Life - rethinking ministry to the poor." He is one of my favorite urban ministers that really focuses on the thoughts and actions that "relocators" (those moving into the urban neighborhoods w/ an intention to be a part of change) make towards there neighbors. He believes (as many do) that we need to restore human dignity to people and stop w/ the welfare concept. There is much to learn from this book but here are a few things i am taking from it thus far.
1) "Doing for others what they can do for themselves is charity at its worst"
2) "Perhaps the deepest poverty of all is to have nothing of value to offer in exchange. Charity that fosters such poverty much be challenged. We know from 40 years of failed social policy that welfare depletes self-esteem while honorable work produces dignity. We know that reciprocity builds mutual respect while one-way giving brews contempt"
3) "We must come to deeply believe that every person, no matter how destitute or broken, has something of worth to bring to the table"
These are just a few thoughts that are powerful to me that i should be keeping in mind when working w/ those that come into our store on a daily basis. There are a few people that i can think of that seem to be able to offer little to nothing to us but how can i think differently about that? usually it seems impossible especially when someone seems off their rocker for sure. Do we need to start w/ medication for some or forget that and just try to work w/ them for who they are now? Where is the line?
I read a fresh view of the story of John 9 where the disciples ask jesus "who sinned here?" and he answers there question in a way that only Jesus can. By healing this man and responding that it was "for God's power to be displayed"
"Through eyes of faith we recognize that this could be an opportunity for tragedy to be transformed into celebrations so that the power of God may be seen at work in him and in her."
"When Clarity of compassion illuminates our vision we can visualize healin that goes far deeper than physical cure"
AMEN
