From Oscars to Homeless in 24 hours

Hello,

Last night was a pretty big night in Hollywood. In case you missed it, it was the Oscars. It’s a night of Glam and Glitz. I used to LOVE these shows. I would sit for hours watching what everyone was wearing. I would watch the Red Carpet shows, the Award Show itself, and then all of the shows the next week detailing what everyone was wearing.

I find it very difficult to watch now. I have a hard time watching something that puts so much focus on such trivial and superficial things.

I did find myself watching a little more than I usually do last night. I think it’s because so many films that were nominated were bringing attention to special causes. I found myself so happy when the Best Actor and Best Actress used their acceptance speech to bring light to ALS and Alzheimer. That was needed because I flinched every time I saw someone wearing a huge necklace or someone who was totally blinged out.

I have a very hard time with Hollywood right now. So many movies and television shows are all about worshipping money. That doesn’t mean that I don’t watch movies and television. It just means that what I watch don’t focus on labels and who has what.

Millions and millions of people watched the Oscars. Millions of people talked about who was wearing what. It makes me sad. There are so many more things we can focus on.

Less than 24 hours later I was sitting in church. I went to my church tonight for a service. During the winter they host the homeless on Monday nights.  They provide dinner, showers, clothing, beds, breakfast, and service.  I had been wanting to get involved. It was something I wanted to do when I lived in Charlotte the first time, but I never did. I have wanted to get involved this year, but had not until tonight.

A couple of weeks ago Pastor mentioned that the youth organize the Service and I immediately made note that I wanted to go to the service. Last week we had bad weather. Tonight I knew I wanted to be there.

If you know me, then you know that I am an emotional person. I cry all of the time. I cry during Church. I cry during prayer. I cry listening to stories. I cry.

I was not prepared for what I saw tonight. I knew what I would be seeing, but I was unprepared for how much it would pull at me. When I got to the gym dinner was over. The beds were out and people were preparing for bed. There were so many children. My heart ached.

I needed to use the ladies room and when I walked in there was a mother cleaning up her little boy. He had messed his pants. Someone was helping her hand wash his pants in the sink. Not to give TMI, but while I was in the stall I overheard her talking to her son. She told him that he would get to ‘snuggle and sleep with Mama tonight’. He doesn’t always get to do that. A lump formed in my throat. I had to stay in there a little longer to compose myself.

Soon I was time to start service. Not everyone joined in, but several did. We sang some uplifting songs  and then Pastor read from the Bible. After we all gathered at the altar and held hands. We went around in a circle and prayed.  You could pray out loud or silently. Then you would squeeze the hand of the person next to you and it was their turn. While we were singing someone placed a prayer request on an index card in front of me. I would read it out loud when it was my turn. Some of the other prayer requests had tears just streaming down my face. I knew that I would choke up if I tried to say anything else. I prayed silently and then read the card.

After prayers we had communion.  A very eager and enthusiastic young boy offered to help. He was so sweet. Pastor offered that he could hold the cloth for the wine, but he insisted that he offer the wine (grape juice).  He was unbelievably adorable jumping in and offering the prayer thanking God.  He made me smile like you would not believe.

After communion we gathered again and put our arms around each other. We swayed and sang “Lean on Me”. How I made it through that I cannot tell you. Sobbing I say. My eyes were leaking.  That was one of the most moving experiences I have ever had.

When we were done singing it was time for sharing the peace. Hugs for everyone. I am a hugger, so I loved this. It meant everyone to hug and smile with everyone there.

As soon as I got home I immediately emailed the lady who organizes these evenings. I told her that I would help in any way I can. We will be meeting on Wednesday and talk about what I can do. I will be doing some of the sleepovers and possibly driving people places. This will need to be enough for me. I hope it is because as I was walking past all of those beds and children I wanted to go empty my bank account and give every dime I have to them. Sadly, there’s not a lot there and it wouldn’t stretch that much, but it would help.

How can I get excited about who is wearing what when there are people out there that would be over the moon for a clean pair of underwear? Sometimes I just can’t handle the world we live in.

There is a song that I absolutely love. I have meaning to talk about it for some time. Matthew West sings a wonderful song called “Do Something”

I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you”

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something

I’m so tired of talking
About how we are God’s hands and feet
But it’s easier to say than to be
Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves
It’s alright, “somebody else will do something”
Well, I don’t know about you
But I’m sick and tired of life with no desire
I don’t want a flame, I want a fire
I wanna be the one who stands up and says,
“I’m gonna do something”

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something

We are the salt of the earth
We are a city on a hill (shine shine, shine shine)
But we’re never gonna change the world
By standing still
No we won’t stand still
No we won’t stand still
No we won’t stand still

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something

Well it’s time for me to do something.

******

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

-1 John 3:17