Category Archives: Blog

Love Is…Love Does

2 Replies

In the words of Vicki Doubroff, the women’s pastor at Cedar Grove Baptist, “I am blown away!” Calling upon the women in that ministry to gather and assemble precious care packages for women living on the street was a rich gift to me. Not only in the large number of packages that were put together with personal care items, such as soap, toothbrushes, band aids, candy… but in the way each person came together in fellowship to provide much-needed support for the NightShift outreach teams. Thank you to Bev Johnston, for highlighting some of what we witnessed that evening with these photos:

Love Does group 8 July 2013As the poster suggests, it takes many hands to make a good circle.Love Does poster 8 Jul 2013It was a beautiful evening, and on top of everything else, I had the opportunity of talking about The Shift and signing a few copies. Well, the very next day I was to receive the most beautiful piece of the night. With her permission, I am sharing Lisa’s words that really touched my heart:

I purchased your book last night at a Love Does event at Cedar Grove Baptist church. I told you that I would let you know what I thought. Little did I know I would be emailing you only halfway through the book! I had fallen away from God after struggling since moving here just a year ago. I found my faith tested, and I failed that test! I have found my spirit renewed after only reading half of the book! Look forward to the rest! I, like you, find myself judging people based on their outward appearance, God forgive me. I have always felt God calling me to work and minister with “them” and like you, I have always found a way not to answer. I am praying for forgiveness for my judgmental attitude. And I am praying for guidance on where God wants me to be and what he wants me to do. Thank you for pouring out your heart so that hardened hearts like mine can be softened through Gods work!

Later that day:

Finished the book in half a day! Wow! What a blessing! God surely has plans for NightShift! It just amazes me all the barricades the enemy put up and God supplied every need to overcome them every time! Shouldn’t surprise me, but it never ceases to amaze me what God will do to further his kingdom! God bless you and keep you!

God bless you and keep you, too.

What’s important to you?

Leave a reply

I’d been digging into ‘The Love Dare’ by Stephen and Alex Kendrick. Day 3 talks about “Whatever you put your time, energy, and money into will become important to you. It’s hard to care for something you’re not investing in.”

This got me thinking! I look around NightShift and see hundreds of volunteers demonstrating – by their actions – that those who are poor and homeless are very important to them. They are caring for the ‘least of these’.

NightShift could not survive or grow without the many who give over and beyond their time, energy and money. They are giving something very precious – their hearts!

hearts in sandI think it’s safe for me to say that we’re not just talking the talk – we’re walking the walk. In other words, we had to show up, serve and experience first-hand how people were suffering on the street before our hearts broke.

Our time commitment, energy and gifts followed once our hearts engaged.

Jesus says in Matthew 25, “When you provide food, water, clothes and care for the ‘least of these’ my brothers you are doing it to me.” What a statement! By caring for the ‘least of these’ in our own mission field – our own backyards – we’re caring for Him!

I’m asking myself some tough questions today.
What do I care for?
Where am I investing my time, energy and money?
What is important to me?
What’s important to you?

Because He lives

2 Replies

A man staggered into our Centre at NightShift tonight holding his injured hand, looking for a Band-Aid.

His story? He had lost a fight with a street dog who obviously didn’t appreciate his friendly pat-on-the-head gesture. I’m thinking the canine’s crankiness might have had something to do with the fact that the gent was more than a little inebriated.

NightShift soup

picture courtesy Jenelle Schneider, Vancouver Sun

Although busy with the night’s dinner activities, my sister, Susan (a former nurse), dropped her soup-stirring spoon on the stove and immediately went to his aid. I stood by her side as her nursing aid, passed tape and gauze, while I watched her efficiently dress his wound. She was impressive!

Looking back, I do believe his heart ‘owie ouch’ needed her tender attention more than his punctured hand.

After all was said and done, she pointed him in the direction of the clinic for a tetanus shot. As he got up to leave, he threw back his head, and belted out – in a drawling, off-key, gravely voice (I’m being kind here!) – a song to express his appreciation.

What a blessing! Tonight, I’m smiling. But, I have a challenge. I can’t get his song out of my head. Recognize it?

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know-oh-oh-oh-oh He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

A song conveyed by a grateful-heart to a loving-heart. A caring heart who was willing to drop all to show God’s love. In spite of his homelessness, he praised God for His love shown by my sister.

The lyrics ring true in my heart as I snuggle in for the night. Humbled. I can face tomorrow, with all my ‘shifts’ and challenges, because He holds my future and makes my life worth living…knowing that He lives.

Wet beyond wet

Leave a reply

Complaining, I mutter under my breath as I bolt for the car. When is this incessant rain going to stop? I toss my bags in the front seat and slide into the driver seat. Shivering until the heater kicks in.

rainy dayKey inserts into ignition as a dark figure moves across my path. A man who’s homeless on the street. Our eyes make contact through the windshield. He stares into mine. Eyes blank. Water teeming down his face. Clothes soaked beyond. Soggy.

I want to look away. But I’m held captive. His eyes soften. Then he smiles. Not a big one. Just enough to acknowledge. He’s ok.

As I back out into the roadway I return the smile – totally impacted by this encounter. I wrestle with myself. Should I do more? I toss an arrow prayer upwards on his behalf.

I feel convicted by my comfortable life. A car to carry me home. A roof over my head.  A hot shower. Warm blankets. A bedtime snack. In stark contrast, he stands under the awning of my office door. Alone. Wet beyond wet.

This image remains in my heart. It won’t go away. We run to help people on the street during snowstorms. Rescue them from extreme cold. What about waterlogged days?

I am grateful for comfort but in the midst of my comfort, I’m uncomfortable.

Papa, please don’t allow me to slip in to apathy. Please never allow me to look the other way and ignore what takes place in my own back yard. May I forever be mindful that I can always do more to help others who struggle.

Even if it’s a simple gesture – taking a moment to return a smile to another heart – a heart alone, troubled and waterlogged by life.