A New Season
As I sit here writing the reflection this week, I’m shuffling papers, papers for reporting for the latest period of Trinity Family Support Network – our government-funded service that works with kids and families in the 0-8 bracket, providing early intervention for kids and parents. I’m going through Trinity Family Support Network papers, cases and talking to clients we have worked with over the past six months. Something that stands out to me is that, these people remain unseen and unprotected for the large part. Not those with ok jobs, not those with support networks, not those with caring partners but those who lack most, if not all of these. As I pondered this, my mind was drawn to a very clear and consistent message, from the Old to New Testament, about the effort, time and care we put into the Widow, Orphan and Stranger. And I don’t need to look much further than myself, to see deficits in people’s actions. Why am I so upset, and give so much emotional energy, to the guy that didn’t use his blinker on the roundabout. Or, why I’m so worried and focused on the thriving weeds growing around the Church.
But, I understand that it is hard. I find it hard to defocus the “threat” I feel and refocus on what Jesus said was important. This is why I believe Jesus talked about this because it isn’t the default place to think and act. And as I think about this, I’m going through a case Trinity Family Support Network dealt with. A frustrating case for myself because I couldn’t help bring resolution, to some of the issues the client was dealing with (For the sake of confidentiality I have to be vague). But to fill out some details, it was a delivery from Baby Give Back. We are partnered with Gold Coast Health and we deliver baby setups, to parents who aren’t in a place to provide everything they need for themselves. There were two pressing issues that I couldn’t find a solution for, and while they weren’t immediate needs, they were very important. So, as I was driving back to work I said a quick prayer, as I didn’t know what else to do. The rest of that day passed and the next morning I was at my computer working and it dawned on me. A church that is closer to this lady might be able to help, and, as a matter of fact, Dale’s Church (A minister that used to work at our church) was up that way. So, I set about seeing if that was possible. As it turns out, it was. It is such a joy for me to see that when we work together, we are able to help the Widow, the Orphan and the Stranger.
As we are about to enter into Lent, a time of reflection and putting ourselves in a position to think differently and to hear from God – I’m reminded that when I put myself into positions of needing God, his wisdom and a new way of thinking, only then do I see past the threat. But it can be scary to put myself in the vulnerable position of needing Him. Whether that be my own feeling of failure about not being able to help someone or external circumstances I’m afraid of.
As we prepare for a season of lent, I’m reminded that I need to challenge my priorities, particularly those priorities that may have sneaked into my life because of fear. And as I reflect, those are the things that get in the way of me seeing the in our community that are most at risk.