Why do we get so scared?

It's because we're afraid, isn't it? I mean, let's be honest really. We don't always like to experience things with which we aren't familiar.

The unknown.

It sounds beautiful when we think of exotic locations, spontaneous road trips and the end of a well-fought football game. But if we're talking about people, well now it's just much easier to not even go there, right? It's much easier to not have to worry about them. You know, those people. The ones that aren't like us. The ones that may not really understand a home or sitting down with family or having money to go shopping on a whim just because we need something new for this seasonal change.

Those people.

It makes us uncomfortable. Scared. I walk through the automatic glass doors at Wal-Mart to grab a cart for my grocery load and Mary catches my eye. She's just sitting there on the green metal bench, hoping someone might give her a second glance. You've seen her. Well, you've at least noticed her. Taking time to truly see her sitting there, to see her need, that takes effort. Time. Sacrifice and humility.

But you can't help notice.

If I stop to talk to her, my group will be waiting on me. I can't make them wait. That's rude.

If I stop to talk to her, I know she'll ask for money and she'll probably just use it to get her next fix.

If I stop to talk to her, I will actually have to acknowledge that she just may become a responsibility in my life.

No, no I can't do that. I can't make them wait. I can't give her money. I can't take that responsibility. She probably wouldn't understand or wouldn't remember anything I had to say anyway. So I quickly grab my cart, avert my eyes and hustle into the store, making a mental note to exit out the opposite side of the store upon departure.

You know you've done, thought it.

But what you don't know is that Mary does understand. She does notice.

What you don't know is that Mary lived with her elderly father until he passed away last January. Her mental illness did not provide her with much opportunity for holding down a job and there was no one else to take in a middle-aged woman with disabilities. So it was the streets for her. She busses around town as often as possible, making stops at whatever location she desires. Wal-Mart Market on Green Springs happens to be one of them. And the Chinese buffet up the way has her favorite chicken and collard greens, when she can coerce someone into buying her some that is.

What you don't know is that Mary's favorite snack is barbecue potato chips and ice cold Mountain Dew. She'll take that any day, staying careful not to consume the entire bag of chips in one setting.

What you don't know is that Mary has actually heard of God. She knows that his Son's name is Jesus and that He died on the cross. After that it gets a little fuzzy.

But if you take time to talk Mary, you can explain that Jesus died on the cross because He loves her, because He wanted to take her place. Because even though we don't always do what He tells us, He loves us anyway and wants something better for us and to live for Him.

Maybe she gets it. Maybe she doesn't. But she's heard and you can say that you know that wholeheartedly. It doesn't seem so scary anymore does it? I mean, now that you know her and all, she's not so scary. She's just a story waiting to be told. She's a heart waiting to be taught, a tummy waiting to be fed.

Why do we have make it so difficult? Yes we are commanded to take care of the least of these. We are commanded to provide for orphans and widows, to feed the hungry and take care of the poor and NOT FEAR.

We must learn that ignoring does not negate the responsibility. Just because you pretend not to notice doesn't mean the problem disappears. Take up your call. Accept that responsibility. If you dare claim Christ as your own, dare to execute His example loudly. To everyone. Even Mary.

A new season

At each season change I get a little too excited. I love living in a climate that allows for four distinct seasons with glories in each one.

Today as I was pondering the joys of autumn, I realized most of what I love about the seasons are things that remind me of my childhood. Then I realized, what an honor to have been raised in a home where to think back on my childhood is a wondrous thought. I thank my parents for the small things they did and allowed us to do.

I am thankful for summer days at grandma's pool and trips to the beach; I am thankful for the warmth the sun gave off as it peered through our sliding glass door in the early spring mornings as I downed my homemade pancakes in the shapes of hearts. I am thankful for fall days of riding big wheels into piles of leaves and little league football games accented by many trips to the concession stand for hot cocoa and laffy taffy. I am thankful for winter sledding on large black trashbags with my dog in the back yard because we broke the sleds mom bought and for days of homemade snowcream with family and friends gathered near.

With autumn upon us, I eagerly gaze out my window, longing for the chill of the season's breeze to float by, anticipating long drives home through the Tennessee foothills painted with reds, oranges and browns, and enjoying each moment spent in a loving environment for which I will forever be grateful.

Honduras Trip 2009

Dear friends,

In 2006, I traveled to a small town in Honduras where I came in contact with hundreds of orphans receiving care from the gracious hand of a dedicated couple from California. My heart was gripped by the children’s hope in the midst of national poverty and by the need for godly men and women to sacrifice time for those children.

A year and a half later, God opened a door for me to return again and spend more than four weeks investing in the children through discipleship, physical labor, cleaning and love. My life was forever changed by the relationships I developed with the children and I have consistently prayed for additional opportunities to return to them (You can read about my experience during this trip through previous posts archived on this site).

God has answered that prayer, and this December, I will return to my heartland once again to pour into the lives of the children there. This time, I will be traveling with a group from Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters, a Christian camp and retreat center in North Carolina that focuses on evangelism and discipleship through creative programs and activities (for more information about Snowbird, visit www.swoutfitters.com).

While the cost of the trip is only $850 per person for the entire week, it is an amount I cannot fully fund alone. I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider joining my team of supporters.

We often pray, “God I am willing to go if you desire,” but the fact of the matter is that God has not called us to be willing to go. He has called us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” For such a time as this, my nation is Honduras, and it is at His Word that I humbly take up this charge.

Even if you do not feel led to support financially, I ask that you commit to praying for our team as we travel Dec. 3–10, as we work and as we share Christ’s love with the children and staff at Orphanage Emmanuel.

I look forward to being a part of God’s continued work at the orphanage and I thank you in advance for your prayers and outpouring of support.

For we know “religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27).

In His grip,

Brittany N. Howerton

(Checks may be made payable to “Brittany Howerton,” or to “Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters,” and mailed to 224 Lakeshore Drive, Homewood, AL 35209. A payment of $400 is due Oct. 1.)

A natural pouring

As the rain pours over the earth, moistening everything in its path, I consider the faithfulness of the Father.
As the heavens break open and the rain comes face to face with earth's atmosphere, everything God has made receives its nutrients. The only place to withdraw from the rain is the stand under shelters made by man.
Stand under a tree and the water's drops leak through. Stand under a cliff's overhang and the wind's strength blows the wetness into your face. God designed the rain to pour upon the earth, just as He designed His faithfulness and steadfast love to pour over us. Why do we try to hide in our castles made by man? Why do we try to retreat from the faithfulness God is pouring out for us?

Does love have to be like a battle field?

I pretty much had a battle with God the other day about learning to retrain my thinking to not worrying about what other people think. I used to be like that — carefree, unworried, I do what I do who cares what people think — but somewhere along the line of the last couple of years that has changed. Its painful to admit. But I do get concerned about what people think and I hate that about myself. I wish I was bolder, more confident in who I am in Christ like I used to be. I’m trying to get back to that place, but once you’ve left its a difficult return — difficult to retrain your thinking to be that carefree.

A New Year — again — with many memories behind

Ringing in the upcoming year with a group of dear friends warms the heart and feeds the soul ... and does nothing short than allow for a good time!

Realizing 2009 holds many surprised and plans for my life, I press on toward the mark as Paul would say. I anxiously await all that God puts in my path as the newest year of my life continues to progress.

I've heard it said that we plan our steps but God directs our course. I see much truth in this. Though I pray that in 2009 I will be able to put aside my stubbornness and even allow my steps to be planned by the Father.
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Christmas was a jolly time as well as I visited with family and friends. My sister-in-law, Bridget, is with child and Launa Kate continues to be filled with life inside of her. I received a photo just yesterday of a 4-D ultrasound. It is amazing the features that are revealed of that sweet baby while still inside her mother's tummy. I cannot wait until her arrival here. She will be just beautiful.

I was also reminded, especially this year, of Mary for we celebrate this season in honor of her baby's birth — the birth of Christ. Watching Eric and Bridget anticipate the coming of Launa Kate, talking to her, cherishing the moment when she will arrive easily paralleled for me the birth of Christ and the emotions that must have run deep through Joseph and Mary. Nonetheless, Mary sought to "hold these things in her heart." For in this principle, I fall short. Nonetheless, this principle I seek. To grow as Mary grew (obviously not in a physical way). To anticipate as Mary anticipated. And to cherish things in my heart and in my spirit until the day Christ is ready for them to be birthed through me.

Holiday Bliss

Bustles of the holidays continue to buzz around me. I am constantly reminded of more gifts, food and Christmas accessories that need to be bought. And somehow in the midst of the dozens of oops-forgot-to-buys is the twinkling thought of "Yup, this is Christmas."

But lest we forget, "For unto us a child is born, for unto us a son is given. And the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."

This truly is the hope of the Christmas message, is it not? For this, truly, is Christmas — the birth of the Christ child, born with the purpose of becoming the sacrificial lamb to take on the sins of the world that through His death and resurrection all might have the gift of eternal life.

Let us boast in Christ this Christmas season, our Hope, our Salvation, our Lord.