Down Into the Valley With the Despairing

Today Jonathan just listened and cared

when a man who had been struggling with a drinking problem and had sought God recently at church

shared his valley last weekend.

His phone had been stolen, and in despair over the inability to communicate with loved ones

he resorted to drink again.

He had been doing so much better.

Then his bicycle and backpack had also been stolen, and he spent Sunday drunk,

While we church people worshipped in our churches.

We with a small group at a mission church in Denver.

Worshipping in a mission church is more about a lot of hard work and going out and actually bringing most of the attendees instead of enjoying an automatic congregation of saints every Sunday.

 It is a small, struggling church, and there had been such behaviour issues with some kids at Kids' Club, that they had to take a break from Kids' Club for a couple weeks.

 Pastor Walker was struggling with a raspy voice on top of everything else.

We sang about God's grace, and "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,"

and prayed and listened to an excellent message from Pastor Walker about God's Phone Service--

"Call upon Me and I will answer You..."

And after sharing a picnic together at a park just down the road, we took a walk in the sunshine, 

noticing all the clomping boots!

Lord, if You have allowed us to walk the valley floor while others are on the mountaintops, 

is it so that we may slip up beside other valley-walkers?

To be a support and encouragement to a young couple at a city mission?

So that we may listen to a man struggling to overcome an addictive habit,

listen without judging,

listen and care enough to try to help?

What if we were in his shoes and had no spouse to care or other help?

Jesus, walk the valley with us,out of our comfort zone,

 May we have Your heart,

                                  Your ears,

 Your eyes,

and Your hands reaching out to the oppressed.