I woke up this morning to a lovely thunderstorm!  I had "conversations about Jesus" at 9, so I bundled up and walked 10 min in the rain what is usually a 3 minute bike ride.  Blah!

After a short time with John - the only one who showed up - I jumped on a bus to locate the office where I had a 10am appointment to see if I qualify for food stamps.

I'm not dyslexic, but I told the bus driver I was looking for 2121 W. Lawrence - when really I was looking for 2112.  I got off the bus at 10:07 and walked into 2121 - a government building that handles social security and other things.  I was a little confused during the 30 minutes I waited for my # to be called and during that time I realized I hadn't even brought my photo ID!  Argh!  The lady in the window didn't care I didn't have my ID - she just looked at me like I was stupid - my appointment was down the block.

So down the block I head.  For the second time I take a number and sit in a waiting area with men and women from my community.  Eventually I'm called and I go back to meet with my case worker (I guess that's what he's called?) in his cubical.  I was very curious about this slice of American life I have never experienced and tried to pay attention to everything.  I can only imagine how much of life for someone who is "poor" is spent waiting in holding tanks - on hard plastic chairs.

My "case worker" was a precious hispanic man in his 40's.  As we went over my case together he asked some specific questions about what I do and what kind of "ministry" I do.  So I finally explained specifically what I do.  "Well, honestly sir, I eat at soup kitchens and play cards at a shelter.  I just spend time in the community."  He looked at me as that style of "ministry" produced a picture in his mind.  Then he said "wow... well ya know, actually, what you are doing is really.... well it's really a lot like what Jesus did!  He ate with the sinners and spent time with the prostitutes!"

As I left his cubical we shook hands and he said; "Don't faint."

Isaiah 40:30-31


"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

That man nor I knew that a few hours later I would grow faint and I would be very weary.  Right now I draw tremendous strength from my HOPE in my Lord.