Hickory House

It had been many years since I'd been in the house.As we walked thru each room so much of us was still there.The tiles in the kitchen and bath,as well as the bedroom in the garage .Years of memories and the faces of all those we had shared time with.Steven asked how could 15 kids and 2 parents live in a house this small.It had a strange coziness about it.Jolene and I use to sit on the porch and watch all the kids get off the bus from Hopewell.The first year we were there it snowed so much the kids were out of school 13 days-I was ready to shovel the roads myself towards the end.Endless laundry and meals to prepare.I was at the school so much I should have had an office there.The 40' x80' basketball court we poured-my first and last concrete project.Being an only child and then having 3 of my own well 15 kids was overwhelming.Someway some how God gave us the strength and the sanity to get thru it all.We have a way of pushing all the hard places to the rear and only remembering the good times.After making my way thru the house I realized that I really didn't miss the house but I did miss the people and that time in my life.As we go out the door I look at the playground overgrown with weeds and in there places I see the kids playing and the green 15 passenger van with all the girls in the back-they talked way more than the boys.I see a long dining table full of people that has turned into 2 people eating in their recliners.I see a lot of miles and a lot of memories.A long time gone.

Feed My Sheep

It seems so simple the statement Christ made "feed my sheep". It is far easier to write that check or simply drop that change into the kettle.And while giving to fund ministries is so vital nothing replaces that giving of oneself to a cause or an individual .I have found myself these last few months having to push myself .To give when I really didn't have the funds or the energy to give.Thinking "well I've done my part,time for someone else to bear the load for a while.Then I tell God what would you have me do now and the words resonate so clearly "Feed my sheep". I am helping a guy who got out of prison October 1st .The state of Tennessee gave him some jeans and a t-shirt ,a bus ticket and no money-who is in charge of that system?It takes a few weeks to get his birth certificate from Delaware ,a state ID, his social security card, and his food stamps started.I pay a fee to get his drivers license reinstated .He passes the written test and another test of my faith comes up -the lady says I may can work in the driving test today.We are in my wife's new used car and this man hasn't driven in 10 years.So he drives around the building 3 times and off they go.I pray hard for 15 minutes and they come back safe and sound.I was happy for him but there was no joy in the task for me .I talk with God about that.Am I a horrible person.A reluctant disciple or selfish.His answer surprises me -alone you are weak but I can always use you if you will call on me and yes even reluctantly "feed my sheep". Looking back over the last few months I am so grateful that I heard God speak and that I responded.Romano had the best Thanksgiving ever with our family.He got his first cell phone ever the other day that he paid for.He even took me out to eat.He has saved $700 and in a few weeks he will have a 1991 Camry that we have all driven the last 10 years.God has blessed my 2 kids with a thriving business and they have given Romano a chance to work.Being able to make a living is the major step in being able to regain your life.So thank you Jess and Damien.You see we are all only a breath away from having it all to being without.God never gives up on us .Romano is so much better off than he was 3 months ago.And yes I had a part in that.But a few years ago God got me and my family through a very difficult time.It changed us all.Less judgemental now ,we listen for that soft,still,voice saying "feed my sheep" .It has always been there but like most of we thought He was talking to someone else.