Grateful

As many of you know, Louis has been out of town this week taking care of Mama (his mom).  Mama had knee replacement on Monday and is recovering really well!  Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers!  Thankfully Louis is coming home Friday night!  We got married just a short 18 months ago…and this is the longest we have been apart!  I miss him and will be thrilled when he comes home!!!

It’s been interesting here in SBH while he has been gone.  Back before Louis was in the picture, I was “taken care of” by the community.  “Miss Marti” was accepted and cared for and looked after.  Then…Louis came into the picture.  Things shifted.  It took us a while to see that it happen.  It didn’t feel the same.  I was told by others that it was out of respect for Louis, as the “man of the house” that things changed.  It wasn’t Louis per se, but it would have been the same if it was some other guy.  But, it still felt really weird.  I missed the ole days!

Well, this week…that was confirmed as the guys came back to the rescue!  CW walked with me and Wesley on our evening walk.  Ron texted me “and you never have to ask me to keep an eye on you,…Been doing that since you moved in.” after I asked him to keep an eye on me late one night when I walked Welsey on a short walk to the “pooping field”. Everett continued to come by to empty the trash, check on me and will be cutting the grass tomorrow! Another offered to take my recycling bin to the curb.  Mike tracked me down to let me know that a headlight was out.  Charles changed the headlight for me.

I AM SO GRATEFUL!!!!

I am soooo blessed to have friends in the community!  Not just because they helped me out, but because they care.  Some would look down on many of these guys as some hang out on the corner in their white t-shirts and jeans. Or maybe others would look at them as hopeless. Or label them as deadbeat dads.  Or drug dealers. Or no-good thugs.  Or addicts.  Maybe they are.  I don’t know.  What I do know…is they are my friends and DO have a heart.  They are made in God’s image.  My friends have potential.  They showed care…dare I say love…for me.  It reminds me they are NOT beyond hope!  It reminds me that NO ONE is beyond the reach of the Lord.  My friends are not so far gone, so hardened, so hopeless, so angry, so disappointed, so rejected and dejected, so strung out, so whatever…

Romans 3:22-24 (New International Version)

22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Lord….Thank you for your grace!  Thank you for the cross!  Thank you for reminding me that I too fall short of Your glory and forgive me for judging and giving up hope.  May my heart break for what breaks Yours.  Show me how to love my friends and my community like You love it.  In Jesus’ Name.