tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448466740773241098.post8786590525323624005..comments2008-09-11T01:42:37.105-07:00The Cantankerous Christianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16530967456489764068noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448466740773241098.post-33444738085779471152008-09-11T01:42:00.000-07:002008-09-11T01:42:00.000-07:00This is a constant problem for me. In my case it is easy to do the quick act of charity with a stranger, but troubled people seem to be attracted to me, and in some cases they become long-term charges. One of them shows up at my house unannounced nearly every day, drinks my coffee, and takes up my precious time with his psychotic chatter. I sometimes just wish he would leave - but he is homeless and nearly friendless (he literally lives in a ditch). These feelings trouble me until I think how remarkable it is that God has blessed me to the point I can minister to this man. The inconvenience and feelings of inadequacy are part of the training I must undergo to become what God want me to be - whatever that is.<BR/><BR/>- GordonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448466740773241098.post-53911488840187791882008-09-04T19:38:00.000-07:002008-09-04T19:38:00.000-07:00Ditto what "the Queen" said. <BR/>We are forgiven. That doesn't negate the consequences of what we did or didn't do it just means we are forgiven. That's grace and grace is what gives us the chance to learn from our short-comings and "failures." God will still use you (and me) in spite of our human mistakes. We're in good company. Think of Moses, David, Peter, and Paul, to name a few. What would truly be a failure is if we don't learn and react to every ounce of grace that God bestows on us.Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13688993626595252654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448466740773241098.post-27927198746752115322008-09-04T19:36:00.000-07:002008-09-04T19:36:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Martyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13688993626595252654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1448466740773241098.post-12606122885626683042008-09-04T18:20:00.000-07:002008-09-04T18:20:00.000-07:00My question is: "Who HASN'T failed this "test" at one time or another?" I'd be willing to bet your Emmaus Brother had a time or two and that was precisely WHY he went the extra mile this morning. No one comes by the necessary empathy NATURALLY or "natural man" could have been left alone and Jesus would not have had to die.<BR/><BR/>I'm not blowing off what you did (or didn't do). I'm not even suggesting you "get over it." I'm just saying I feel your pain, wish I could learn from it but cringe inwardly as I both recall my own failures and pray for the opportunities ahead. As long as there is a lesson learned, we NEVER fail. God bless you brother.The Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09670667674209026064noreply@blogger.com