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Sit down with me as we think through some tough topics in a reflective way and examine some of the difficult issues that can trouble followers of Christ. My hope is that you’ll always come away with more to think about… RBC Ministries
A Conversation About Faith and Economic Uncertainty continued…
Posted by Mart De Haan
November 1st, 2008
Filed in Ideas to think about, Relationships, Social Issues
I’ve been deeply moved, as have many others, by reading your personal responses to the post on “Personal Economics and Uncertainties,” Here’s one I thought I’d bring forward, as a post.
innkeeper says:
With the colorful foliage falling down in rural Maine, the deepset poverty and desperation is visible just driving down most roads. Mile after mile of trailers, latchkey children with a parent who is out working, elderly in terror of foreclosure on their dilapidated farmhouse, and frantic attempts to start home businesses (quickly), are evident. Trucks, and cars are parked right alongside these beautiful scenic routes, displaying hand-written “For Sale” notices. My neighbors aren’t eating; or they are, many are not able to fill their prescriptions. There are precious few jobs, and during the past six years,the State of Maine, became the largest employer. Small business simply didn’t survive. And, there is precious little other corporate or sales work here. Locals suffer each winter.
This annual change of weather, changes my daily activities. I spend much of them cooking, delivering clothes (especially shoes and coats), to little ones, desperate ones, and speaking so as to calm the older ones who are without heat. Coming from urban professional work eight years ago, I never expected to see basic needs so lacking, in the homes of working people.
Now, running an antique Inn, two weeks ago I received four phone calls from former co-workers whom I had known from Hollywood/Burbank/New York/Florida. Each was a pleasant surprise, as I had not heard their voices in as many as 16 years.
Each caller is about 60 to 62 years-old, and each had owned a small business with a high-end technical specialty at which they had worked 80-hour weeks, for a few decades. Each asked me if I would “take them in” as they could not live any longer in their homes (all had been on the market for a long while/two had taken in boarders who had already lost their homes), and their retirements seemed to have unexpectedly vaporized.
Each needed a place of refuge, and expressed a resignation that there was nothing more to be done.
Each really wanted to begin a new business as over the past few years, their “market” had “dried up” or “gone to India.” Each was looking to change professions.
These friends were not the high rollers in the world, or even the big spenders. No “kitchen redos” with these folks.
These people poured their hours into serving others through a business they had nurtured. They are the honest, hard-working technically-expert friends, whom I admire so much.
So, it’s hard to say what will happen here at the Inn in Maine, this coming winter. But, based on these calls, it is possible that we will be creating some kind of new “business entity” as together, we haul wood to the furnaces, shovel out neighbors, and cook for those who cannot fend for themselves.
The Lord has His Plan working here. My former friends and many neighbors, don’t know Jesus Christ as Savior… yet.
The dire situation here, is an open door, for the Gospel.
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Loading ...10 Responses to “A Conversation About Faith and Economic Uncertainty continued…”
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November 1st, 2008 at 8:55 am
Very difficult to add to such a well writen piece.
The bottom line is that people need to help people in need. That Christian people should lead the way. Reguardless of the needy persons religious affiliations or lack thereof.
That through action without condimnation we may present Jesus to all.
A short note to you Mart, I guess I’ve got to quit replying to the post untill later in the morning.
November 1st, 2008 at 10:23 am
Oh my gosh, what a beautiful church. Can you imagine what a warm and comforting place that would be. That is such a reflection of Christ and to think His mom was turned away from an Inn. If we could be a safe place for all to come like it was as we came to know His love, mercy and grace. I yearn to be that place for all I meet. Thanks Mart for allowing this blog to be a place to learn about our savior and kindness.
November 1st, 2008 at 12:06 pm
What comes to my mind is Mark 14:7(a)”For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them,…” And the Beatitudes written in Matthews. The glory of God will be revealed through them in a way I have yet to see but I will take faith in. In the meanwhile, we should continue with our love and kindness toward each other. Such actions always speak louder than our rhetorics.
November 1st, 2008 at 3:25 pm
You are right rokdude5; the poor will always be as Jesus said. That does not ever diminish our responsibility to help all those who need it. Last week I saw a man who was dressed very nicely but he was pulling a shopping cart with 2 tied up plastic bags and behind that was a Blue wheeled trash bin (In Los Angeles we have 3 different trash bins, black for regular trash and green and blue ones for trimmings and recycle stuff). My guess is he was a man who had just lost his home and was in his first week of homelessness. I should have found a way back to him but it did get me thinking more about this problem as it begins to swoop down on us with a vengeance. I am preparing myself with the Lord’s help to trim down everything and with what’s left seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance on what to do next. This may not be much cause I’m already below the poverty level for LA and have some medical problems which thankfully are not getting worse and the meds are at least manageable, but I know some folks are in dire straights wrt medicine. Meanwhile let’s pray that those “higher” up the social ladder may seek God’s help in finding out how they can step up to the plate and give back what they have obtained by ill-gotten gains.
November 1st, 2008 at 3:34 pm
innkeeper, Praying for your antique Inn in Maine…that God may strengthen your hands and provide for all your needs as you stepped out in faith to meet the needs of the deprived. While seeking to fulfill the physical needs make full use of this blessed opportunity to ‘speak’ and ‘serve’ the ‘saving’ Gospel to meet the spiritual needs as well. To those who are sad because, their “market” had “dried up” or “gone to India.” be encouraged to “know” that God has a purpose in allowing this for the ultimate good and is fully able to restore many times more than what has been lost. All we have to do is wait and keep trusting the Lord…who indeed has a beautiful plan for you, your former friends and your many neighbors!
November 1st, 2008 at 4:51 pm
WOW!! What a story. Makes me realize how uncertain the things of this world can be. Equally amazing how God will see these people through, and he will do just that. It gives many opportunities to show them how God does provide. Maybe things are worse out there than we are being told by the media.
November 1st, 2008 at 5:47 pm
SFDBWV > I was thrilled to here about your son Matthew!!! Praise God for the power of prayer. I have been in hundreds of homes and businesses, all walks of life. Being a 20 plus years plumber will make a person understand how there are some things that are common amoung people. You sound like my kind of guy and I have a son that is 21 who is an absolute joy and inspiration to me. I know I certainly have not earned the blessing of 3 wonderful children but they are. I don’t understand why some folks are tested the way they are and others aren’t but I’m looking forward to chatting with you and the Lord about it in the Kingdom. Amen
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:42 am
Thank you plumbape, for your prayers on our behalf and for your kind words.
Yes there are many things common among people.A good strong work ethic,a strong sense of family,love of our country and faith in Jesus.
I too look forward to meeting you and many others at the wedding feast, which I believe is coming soon.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:31 am
Thanks Mart I needed that. I was beginning to have my own little pity party when Innkeeper’s words hit me in the face like a glass of cold water and woke me up. Rural Maine is not that much different from other parts of “Appalachia”; starting there and going down south. My area in upstate NY is a “little” better but I only have to get in my Jeep and go a short distance to see the conditions he spoke of. I’m about 3-4 hours from the NYC/NJ/Conn. metro area and it is common here to see a beautiful, new big home put up by one of the “transplants” or seasonal people near an adjacent property with a run-down home and folks struggling for the barest of necessities. Years and years ago it was not this bad. These areas seem to have been forgoten by time. There are opportunities to serve Christ and help others and it is difficult. Folks have been raised in an atmosphere of hopelessness for generations and it’s tough to break the ice. Small churches in our area struggle just to pay bills and keep the door open and the inside warm. And many folks are as cold to the Gospel as the climate is to the body. Please pray about this my friends. Never forget that God is always in control. I have much, much, more to say but I don’t want to write a book here. God bless!
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:09 pm
How America and Americans are perceived are mainly through the media that is available to us and certainly in most of our minds, America and her people are materially very rich and powerful. However, my first visit to NY at my niece’s place about four years ago opened my eyes of what it was really like living in a city like NY. I have since forgotten all these “realities” even though I was privileged to be given a vision of the multitudes who need Jesus one morning while I was praying in my niece’s kitchen. Today after reading most of the personal sharings here it touch something in my heart. Your sharings will now prepare me to better pray for the painful situation not only affecting you but also for us Asians, though you being at the “epi-centre” of the financial turmoil are harder hit than us. But let me not be so assured by what I see around me here but to let my assurance rest upon Jesus for we are to live by faith and not by sight. May we all carry each other’s burdens to our Lord in prayers remembering He who promises is faithful and will give us His yoke which is light. In such times, our world will rightly becomes dimmer and we can see God clearer. He is a God who is full of compassion and His mercies endure forever.
I am also thankful to RBC for this platform of sharings which will enable us to have a stronger sense of prevailing circumstances and so enable us to pray more specifically. Praise the Lord!