2002-08-03 - Outsiders

A young man our family knows, who I will call "John." just called. He nervously explained that he was going to district court and was not sure what the charges were. He had been there so often, that he had not bothered to call an attorney for this one. "John" started getting in trouble about a year ago when the local school district decided that it would be better if he chose "alternative" educational options. He was a "troublemaker" and they did not want to deal with him. (Our school district is famous for that.)

"John" had grown up with an abusive father who regularly laid out beatings on him and his mother. After his father was arrested and "John's" parents were divorced, "John's" mother turned to alcohol and drugs herself,, because she could not cope. John was an outsider, not only in his own family but at school as well. The trouble with "outsiders" is that they tend to find each other, and their pain becomes their bond.

My heart aches for this kid and for his mother. I tried to talk to her, but she is rarely sober enough to hold a serious conversation. I asked her to come to church; she politely thanked me, but said she was too ashamed to go to any church, but she was glad I stopped by.

Psalm 34:4-6 says "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

I am praying that God will open the doors for "John" and his mother to come to him. I am praying that they will see their need for a Savior and not have to ever feel too ashamed to come to church. I am praying to that I will remember to look past the things that are obvious in the lives of hurting people, and that God would use me to love them and bring them to Him. Please pray for "John" and his mother.

Psalm 122:6

In His Service,
Rick & Sandy

 liv4yeshua@cfdevotionals.org
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