Stepping Onto the Porch

On several occasions the past two months, we have placed invitations door to door in our neighborhood.  As we have stepped onto the porch, at least 1/3 have some form of a “No Solicitation” sign.  According to Merriam-Webster, soliciting is defined as, “: to ask for something (such as money or help) from people, companies, etc.”  When we have gone door to door,
we have not asked for anything but, instead, invited the families to something.  We have had several people who were grateful to be asked, but we also had several people who rudely dismissed us and wanted nothing to do with us or anyone else.

We have seen various signs to dissuade individuals or groups from soliciting at certain houses but these are a few of the ones that caught my eye.IMG_0687Two things that stick out to me about this sign are that it is made of painted fired clay and that they are happy the way they are.  This view is prevalent here.  I have met atheists, agnostics and non-practicing-fill in the religious group-individuals here, and the overall sentiment is what is good for you is good for you and I am fine just they way I am.  IMG_0688

This sign made me chuckle because it was different but it is sad that Girl Scouts are more welcome than salesmen and God-fearing soul savers.  It is a sad thing to be filled with Thin Mints and not the Holy Spirit.

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As an owner of a Welcome Bear, I was sad to see this twist on a typically friendly porch dweller.  What I can take away from this item is that, to those who are in their circle this family is friendly, but to outsiders they are unwilling to engage.

 

By no means is this the overwhelming view of the people of my neighborhood, but a significant portion of people feel this way and it is a barrier that we must work with to reach the people around us.  What are those barriers in your ministry?

Empty Porches

One of the key architectural features of our neighborhood is the front porch.  Every housing unit (condominium, town house, or home) is required to have one.  Some are little more than a front stoop, but even those have a balcony on the second floor overlooking the front walk.  The intention is to create a sense of community and draw people into public spaces to relate.

Some of the people in the neighborhood do a great job of using their porches for just those things but there are other porches that are completely empty.  The definition of community varies from person to person.  Some see community as a tight knit group of people who care for others, while some see it as a safe place where people are like them. The state of your front porch seems to indicate where you land on the spectrum.

What does your front porch say about your value of others?  Is it empty, inviting, or some where in the middle? We strive to keep our front porch inviting and our door open to those around us.  And, for so many around us, that is a foreign concept.  After all, we are strangers and aliens in this land.

Mortality

Death. Something we all face, but not something we often ponder or dwell on, most likely. Especially not our own death. However, I’m in deep thought about it lately. See, I stared death in the face one year ago this week, and didn’t even know it. I mean, I knew I had excruciating pain, knew I was taken to the ER in the middle of the night, even knew I was having emergency surgery, but was too medicated for pain to care why or ask any questions. It wasn’t until this summer, when I chose a new general practice doctor and he reviewed my records that I even knew my official diagnosis, “cecal bascule”. Came home and googled it and found out it has a 50-85% mortality rate! Sobering reality! I sobbed and praised God for another chance! It is no accident that I am still here and I want to use every day well, glorifying God with my every action and word!
I took the kids to a free concert last weekend, a Christian group called For King and Country. We have several of their songs memorized and enjoy the sound and message. One of them spoke about why they wrote our favorite off their first album…he had a near fatal gastric issue (possibly cecal bascule?!? I don’t know) and realized he was given a second chance at life while young. This prompted him to write this song during his recovery and it is my current life anthem, in Lowry and beyond! I pray my life is proof of Gods love, to my family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers and those more difficult to love! I pray your life is proof, too…let’s don’t waste a single day, as it can be our last!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b-2dKOfbC9c