I was inspired today by several things but two things in particular. I have been watching the movie “The Color Purple” and was able to take time and see it to the end today. Secondly I received an email from a dear friend with this terrific message produced by Cameron Burnett. Called “The Bench”. (I pray you can open it and watch it to its conclusion). I asked myself how would you describe what you see if you were not blind, if you were not a slave to anyone or anything. You see, I believe in God almighty creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. etc. (Please take time to read the Apostles Creed to its conclusion). But, I would like to set GOD aside long enough to recognize that although I draw strength in knowing God directs my life and leads me through his word and I am persuaded by the the presence of the Holy Spirit,who lives within my soul, that for me to sustain myself, I must physically put food and drink into my body. I am no longer a baby who is fed without any effort except to swallow. I must be physically strong and work to survive. But each of us has limitations. In these examples that I have pointed out, that being the movie and this clip, the stars in the presentations have limitations for which they have no control. There is pain and suffering within the individuals life; some assumed and never shown. But in spite of the challenges in the end what is portrayed is contentment and gratefulness. {What is evident is a peace beyond understanding}. I would like to take you to real world situations where having a place to lay down, a place to bath, a place to put your stuff is just not there. Imagine being blind and in that situation. Imagine being deprived of someone to help you find a park bench. Imagine having a smoke alarm beeping 24-7 because you have no one to call on to replace the battery. Imagine having no food because a twenty year old refrigerator quit working in the night and you have no way to save the contents. As great as this country is and continues to be; there are folks suffering gravely everyday. There are folks that don’t know what they don’t know because no one has reached out to help them. Someone to show them where the support is and how to make contact with that help. How would you describe that situation? More importantly what advise could you offer to help eliminate it? How can you help today? You tell me…You who know these situations and these individuals exist, please tell me.

There is an organization called HPLA (Habitaciones Para Latinos Association) that is trying to help by providing minor home repair and education to folks that don’t know, what they don’t know. This is our website. It is so small and so underfunded that the difference it makes is minimal at best. However, recently for several individuals, that little difference kept the power company from taking the family off a payment plan and forcing them to come up with hundreds of dollars immediately. It helped water run-off from coming into a basement and causing more damage and mold growth. It reset a garage door opener for safer access. It provided some used furniture to help furnish a place for one that was homeless. How big of a difference did these acts of charity impact those few people. I believe it was huge. Picture yourself handcuffed and unable to do for yourself due to no fault of your own and please if you can please contribute to HPLA but, also seek out and find folks who are needy and direct them to HPLA or other charities you know are there for them. Be the conduit to get them the help they don’t even know exists. End your day with contentment and gratefulness for what you do have and what you do. Blessings.