The Willingness

Last night Heather and I watched the movie, "The Blind Side." For those who don't know or haven't seen it, it is about a young African American boy named Michael Oher who grew up in the projects of Memphis, TN. He was noticed for his size and thought by many that he could become a successful athlete. However, his background hindered him. He was not educated. His family and friends were a terrible influence. He, however, had a big heart.

The basic theme that I saw come from the movie is how the family took "Big Mike" in. They noticed him and found out that he had no where to go. They let him sleep on their couch for several weeks until they officially made him apart of the family. It definitely showed the struggles that each of them went through, but ultimately made something special out of their dedication and love.

After the movie, Heather and I talked for awhile about how there are so many poor situations like this. Also, what would it be like to bring someone into your house. It would change your life and theirs.

There was also something else that happened yesterday. I spent several hours helping a lady from one of my churches move. She has been coming there for years. Recently she lost her home to the bank and is being forced to move in with her mother. I hope and pray for her each day. However, when we were there, several church members came. But, also her brother and ex-husband came to help. And as we were moving, there was a little Spanish boy running around. And he kept calling everyone buddy. As I walked in from carrying a load out, I stopped and starting talking to the boy. He was a little shy. He had a baseball glove and looked like he wanted to play catch. So, I asked him and he said no. But, as we were talking the lady we were helping move, she said, "Yeah, his dad was shot in a drug deal two months back in the Mexican Restaurant across town. He went in there and two guys shot him. My ex is watching him some of the time for his mother."

I was amazed. I always hear stories like this on the news, but I was squatting in front of a little 4 year old boy who's father had been shoot to death two months before. Then when I looked back at the boy, he looked and said, "My dad got shot. I miss him. I wish he would wake up."

I tell you nothing broke my heart like that. I wanted to do something at that moment. I sat there talking with this boy who had lost his dad. Yet, he didn't understand it all. He missed his dad. He wanted his dad to wake up. Yet, this kid seem so sweet and have a big heart. I told Heather that night, if he didn't have a momma or this lady's ex taken care of him, I would have taken him home.

When you think about all the situations in this world, we sometimes feel moved. Maybe we feel moved enough to make a donation or two. However, it is something else when you see people willing to take care of children who don't have families or loved ones to be with. They take care of them and make them one of their own.

I guess these two experiences yesterday really made me think about other children in this world. I don't know what exactly I want to do, or where this conviction is leading, however we know God had called each one of us to take care of those around us. It is more than giving them some money. It is more than saying, "I'll pray for you." It is loving them that they become one of you and you become one of them.

Photo from movie "The Blind Side."