Isaiah 41: 6-7 “Everyone helped his neighbor, and said to his brother, “Be of good courage!” So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith; He who smooths with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil, saying, “It is ready for the soldering;” Then he fastened it with pegs, that it might not totter.”
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“Paul exchanged the form for the tool belt with his new acquaintance and looked at him for further direction.
“Great!” Dennis announced. “Let’s get started. Oh, just one more thing. Here’s a hard hat…safety first,” he stated grinning, as he offered the apparatus to Paul’s waiting hand.
Paul placed his notepad of questions and tape recorder in one of the pockets before the two headed over to the shell of a brand new home. To Paul it seemed very small; a modest structure to offer a family. He would definitely have to question this ideology, he thought to himself. As he viewed the scene further, he noticed there seemed to be people at every square inch of the place, inside and out – people on scaffolds, people tethered to safety harnesses on the roof, people on the ground and people passing in and out of the front and back doors – men and women, young and old, all types of people.”
So, Paul finally participated in his first build day for Habitat for Humanity. As you can imagine, the loner became overwhelmed with all the people who came together to help a neighbor. In this setting, it was as if no one read his columns, or took his message seriously. He must have thought, “How disappointed and incredulous they will all become when they realize this effort is not really appreciated.”
The cynical nature of Paul’s soul truly believes that the families who receive a Habitat house only learn that being poor is a good thing. And, that taking advantage of all the programs offered by various agencies and non-profits is a comfortable way of life.
On the other hand, Paul also meets Marissa for the first time. Even though he doesn’t understand her passion for the Habitat mission, he is impressed at how she carries herself, how strong she is, how determined she is, not to mention how attractive she is. As a single, young man, his initiation into the concept of “a hand-up” is in good hands. Still, the devoted ministry worker shows a soft side. She is, after all, an elementary school teacher. She sees what Paul can’t – children who receive the proper combination of attention, training and environment stand a fighting chance of learning and making better choices in school and throughout their life.
Atypical of Paul, he finds himself wanting to learn more and experience more of this process. He tells himself it has nothing to do with how drawn he feels to the lovely Marissa, or the deep comradery of the regular volunteer network. He completely denies feeling any sort of connection between his contribution to building the house and the future of the family who will live there. It is merely part of his own process to thoroughly research the victim of his next newspaper piece.
Yes, in order to dispel what he considers the “myth of good deeds,” he must get into the mindset of the deed doers. Previously, this method only consisted of several phone interviews and perhaps a sit down interview with an executive director or board chair. In the case of Habitat for Humanity, Marissa directly invited (challenged) him to get a hands-on opinion. It was a risky move for Paul. However, he believed himself to be in complete control.
His boss, Max, was not so sure. He questions why it should take weeks for Paul to be involved in the Habitat project with no column to show for it. In fact, the veteran journalist surmises romantic motives, which Paul flatly denies.
A lost and unbelieving man who survived a torturous childhood would not be able to realize that he’d taken the wrong path in adulthood. On his own, he would not be able to feel God’s nudges, or go to God’s word for guidance and peace. It is only by God’s precious design that this person would cross paths with a patient yet determined Christian teacher and a Christian man who strayed far from God and needs a little nudge himself to create the perfect situation of salvation and redemption.
God offers every opportunity for us to choose Him. Despite what we have gone through, despite what others have done to us, despite what the world tempts us with, God’s arms are always open. We can have the peace that passes understanding. I hope and pray that is your choice today.
***
Chapter five will share more insight into Paul’s background and Max’s current struggle. Are you curious? What would you like to know? How would you envision this playing out? I would love to hear from you!
Grace and blessings,
Darlene Nixon
______________________________________________________________________________
“Paul exchanged the form for the tool belt with his new acquaintance and looked at him for further direction.
“Great!” Dennis announced. “Let’s get started. Oh, just one more thing. Here’s a hard hat…safety first,” he stated grinning, as he offered the apparatus to Paul’s waiting hand.
Paul placed his notepad of questions and tape recorder in one of the pockets before the two headed over to the shell of a brand new home. To Paul it seemed very small; a modest structure to offer a family. He would definitely have to question this ideology, he thought to himself. As he viewed the scene further, he noticed there seemed to be people at every square inch of the place, inside and out – people on scaffolds, people tethered to safety harnesses on the roof, people on the ground and people passing in and out of the front and back doors – men and women, young and old, all types of people.”
So, Paul finally participated in his first build day for Habitat for Humanity. As you can imagine, the loner became overwhelmed with all the people who came together to help a neighbor. In this setting, it was as if no one read his columns, or took his message seriously. He must have thought, “How disappointed and incredulous they will all become when they realize this effort is not really appreciated.”
The cynical nature of Paul’s soul truly believes that the families who receive a Habitat house only learn that being poor is a good thing. And, that taking advantage of all the programs offered by various agencies and non-profits is a comfortable way of life.
On the other hand, Paul also meets Marissa for the first time. Even though he doesn’t understand her passion for the Habitat mission, he is impressed at how she carries herself, how strong she is, how determined she is, not to mention how attractive she is. As a single, young man, his initiation into the concept of “a hand-up” is in good hands. Still, the devoted ministry worker shows a soft side. She is, after all, an elementary school teacher. She sees what Paul can’t – children who receive the proper combination of attention, training and environment stand a fighting chance of learning and making better choices in school and throughout their life.
Atypical of Paul, he finds himself wanting to learn more and experience more of this process. He tells himself it has nothing to do with how drawn he feels to the lovely Marissa, or the deep comradery of the regular volunteer network. He completely denies feeling any sort of connection between his contribution to building the house and the future of the family who will live there. It is merely part of his own process to thoroughly research the victim of his next newspaper piece.
Yes, in order to dispel what he considers the “myth of good deeds,” he must get into the mindset of the deed doers. Previously, this method only consisted of several phone interviews and perhaps a sit down interview with an executive director or board chair. In the case of Habitat for Humanity, Marissa directly invited (challenged) him to get a hands-on opinion. It was a risky move for Paul. However, he believed himself to be in complete control.
His boss, Max, was not so sure. He questions why it should take weeks for Paul to be involved in the Habitat project with no column to show for it. In fact, the veteran journalist surmises romantic motives, which Paul flatly denies.
A lost and unbelieving man who survived a torturous childhood would not be able to realize that he’d taken the wrong path in adulthood. On his own, he would not be able to feel God’s nudges, or go to God’s word for guidance and peace. It is only by God’s precious design that this person would cross paths with a patient yet determined Christian teacher and a Christian man who strayed far from God and needs a little nudge himself to create the perfect situation of salvation and redemption.
God offers every opportunity for us to choose Him. Despite what we have gone through, despite what others have done to us, despite what the world tempts us with, God’s arms are always open. We can have the peace that passes understanding. I hope and pray that is your choice today.
***
Chapter five will share more insight into Paul’s background and Max’s current struggle. Are you curious? What would you like to know? How would you envision this playing out? I would love to hear from you!
Grace and blessings,
Darlene Nixon