Just a week

My friend Aaron joined me recently to help serve my brothers and sisters in need. I could see and feel the Holy Spirit as he mingled with the guests. Aaron brought Will, the bass player in his band. They both enjoyed their time helping those who are homeless. Connie also brought some eggs out as a special treat to those who were extra hungry. Connie helped with the coffee and cocoa, Will handed the supplies to my friends in line and Aaron and I ministered to those waiting.

On the way home, Aaron told me how good it was to be humbled by the Holy Spirit as he spoke with all the guests. I mentioned I like asking those who help, what the highlights were. I told him the story of when my brother was in town and what my brother's favorite part was, find my brother Tom's story here: http://tinyurl.com/3ythpak. So I asked Aaron, what was one thing that sticks out from his morning, something that will be on his heart for a while. Aaron told me it was a conversation he had with LC.

LC is an older man who lived in Houston before he came here to Austin. Aaron asked how his week was. LC said it was just a week. Not good or bad, Aaron queried? Just a week LC said, like today is just a day. If I start getting all caught up in what kind of week I was having, I would get stressed on thinking it was bad and stress leads to worry and this is a waste of time. I don't need these thoughts because it makes for a long journey out here on the lonely streets. If I have good days or weeks, they are short lived. This leads to high expectations. If your expectations are high then you get real down if you don't meet those expectations. Aaron was moved by the simplicity of the conversation. Sometimes we get so caught up on whether we are having a good day or a bad week, it might make it easier to just have a day or a week.

I saw LC this morning, one week after that conversation. He was quiet and reserved, not himself. I asked him what was wrong and he said he was deep in thought. He was thinking about "green backs" he told me. He explained he was going to find work this week. I wondered if he was having a bad day, but I knew what the answer would be if I asked if his day was bad, so I left it alone. LC is a good man. I continue to learn a lot from him and many others on the streets today.