Reading the Sunday Denver Post earlier this AM, I've been humbled, startled, encouraged, frustrated, warmed, curious, challenged, put off, engaged, among a ranged of thoughts and emotions.
As news entities of all types are prone to do, there is reflection on 2012 and pontificating on the possibilities, both dire and hoped for. Opinions proliferate from all sides of aisles and borders and boundaries that both divide us and embrace us.
Reading Trudy Rubin's borrowed column (she writes for The Philadelphia Inquirer), I am stirred by her honoring of brave men and women in others parts of our world. Youth, the world over, are giving notice, taking charge, no matter the cost to their own lives.
Reading about Denver's Mayor, Michael Hancock, here is a model of working for the common good and not building one's own political agenda. Of course, politics enters in, BUT this man is getting something done for the people of his city. A bit impressive. More to be done? Of course. Hancock's own story of growing up is mighty impressive in how, with support and care, he overcame his odds.
Extra grateful that our own hearts are attached to siginifcant ministries to the disenfranchised in our world, both here in Denver, and around the world:
Mile High Ministries--especially the focused care of and work with the extreme poor directed by two good men, with whom we've walked for years now, Scott Dewey and Ryan Taylor. I learn from them and their radical care in every conversation;
Children's Shelter of Cebu--under the very capable direction of their fresh, new, vibrant, thoughtful leader, Matt Buley, a welcome mentoring friendship begun just over a year ago;
Children's Hopechest--guided by the creative, deeply needed, worldview of Tom Davis, who began a relentless pursuit of me a few Christmases ago until we began to meet together (listen to his message when you click his name), prepare to be challenged;
Compassion International, especially their Leadership Development Program for university students now in over 20 countries, led by the focused and deep care of two people I admire at depth, Brenda Kerls and Jacob Kitonsa, among others at Compassion I've the privilege of doing deep mentoring and leadership development.
The intentional, deep-change, whole-life, transformational mentoring relationships with these amazing developing leaders (among several dozen others with whom there is at least monthly mentoring moments) brings deep thanks for the sacred privilege of walking with them into the future of 2013, and beyond. They, and their organizations, are tackling, daily, the needs of thousands of people around the globe that would both stun us into silence, and awaken us to our own possibilities of involvement, right where each of us lives.
Thus--some questions:
What are your own possibilities for 2013?
You may not be able to go to another continent to meet needs.
But what can you do where you are?
What will you do?
There IS something, be certain of that...........!
Right where you live.
Across the street from you.
In your neighborhood or town.
Your schools, shelters, kids clubs, retirement homes, homeless shelters, even your churches and, dare we suggest other places of worship, need the care and support that only you can bring. Yes. You.
So, when we come to the end of 2013, and stare into the future of 2014, what will we look back to and be grateful that you said
yes!
to in these months to come. No yes is too small. All yes's make a difference. Have the courage to explore, discover and step into where your own heart is leading you. As you are able, keep me posted so that I can celebrate with you.
Look forward to being a blessing, and blessed, in 2013
in the way(s) that only you can be.
Your yes is needed in our world
What will it be?
For whom or what will it be?
When?
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