Lesson 5 - Need to Share: I told Catalina our meeting should only take an hour. I couldn't imagine how it would take any longer. The business at hand was pretty simple. We find out a few details, figure out if the need is legitimate, leave the residence and discuss our plan, then email our proposal to the diaconate for approval if the dollar amount was above our personal threshold. |
BUT...
This kind of thing happens all the time, and I don't know why I ever expect it to be any other way. Of course people want to share who they are. Of course people need love. Of course people need affirmation. We meet with human beings, not data sheets. I have learned this lesson many times, and never expect to have to learn it again. But I relearn it almost every time we meet with someone. My heart is very selfish, concerned largely with my welfare and conveniences. I'm glad that many interviews take a long time, because if they didn't, I would never be confronted with the depths of my selfishness, judgmentalism, and pride. It is always a great reminder that people are our mission, and a great reminder that I am God's mission. There are still deep, dark recesses of sin in my heart, and I am in need of light being shined into them. I am in need of grace and conviction. In a rather ironic turn of events, it is those who I view as needy who are the ones who bring my neediness to light. And it is only through serving and loving them that my needs are met. I need them. The material needy are no more a work in progress than I am, they just exhibit that neediness in different ways.