Ragpickers

I had something happen today and I was just getting online to type/process it when I saw this email from a friend I trust and decided to open it, even though normally i don't open ones that look like these. They usually have some touching story and then say at the bottom send this to 10 people or else... And I don't believe those statements. It actually makes me mad when manipulation is attached to anything to do with God.

But I am glad I opened it because it totally coincided with what is on my heart tonight. My story is beneath this one.

'My Feet Are Off The Ground'From Tyler Perry:
Writer and Actor

This morning I awoke and was so frustrated about all of the stuff that I'm dealing with in trying to get this studio open. I was about to open my mouth and start complaining when I remembered something that happened to me about a year ago.

I was walking to my car when this woman who appeared to be homeless started walking towards me. I'm ashamed to say this but I thought, 'I don't feel like being hustled today.' Then I got quickly convicted. I felt guilty so I started digging in my pocket for some money. As she got closer I noticed that she had the kindest eyes that I had ever seen. As I was reaching into my pocket she started to speak. I thought, 'Here goes the sales pitch'. She said 'Excuse me sir, I need some shoes. Can you help me?' My eyes filled with water because I remember being out on the streets and having only one pair of run over shoes. I was taken aback for a second.

I took her inside the studio and had my wardrobe people find shoes in her size. As she put the shoes on she started crying, praising God and thanking Jesus, and saying, 'My feet are off the ground! My feet are off the ground!' Several of the wardrobe people started crying. I was crying. But I never forgot those words. 'My feet are off the ground!' I thought, 'Wow! All she wanted was some shoes.' She quickly disappeared and never asked me for a dime. I realized that I still had the money in my hand so I went out looking for her. She was gone just that quick so I looked all around the neighbourhood for her. I found her standing on a corner looking down at her shoes, still crying. I was so touched. I asked her how she had gotten homeless. She told me that she had AIDS and that she was waiting to get into a shelter.. She said that her family had turned their backs on her and that she had no place to go, but she knew that God would make a way for her. I said to myself, 'He just did.' Her faith and her praise moved me. I took her to a nearby hotel and put her up until she was able to get on her feet. I had someone that worked for me to check on her from time to time and to make sure that she had food and clothes. After about a month or so we lost touch, but I never forgot her.

This past summer I was shooting 'Daddy's Little Girls' and this woman walks up to me smiling. I didn't recognize her face, but her eyes were familiar.. She had on a really nice dress and her hair was done. It was her! She told me that the little help that I had given her had changed her life. She was in a house now and doing very well.

I said all of that to say this. After I met this woman, every time I think about complaining and mumbling I remember, 'My feet are off the ground!'

~Tyler Perry


So last night I had a complete meltdown/hissy fit. It was over selfish things, I was boo- hoo ing about my new life compared to my old one and the special people I left that I miss so much. Instead of focusing on what I do have. This was a big one, I cried for hours till I finally fell asleep at 3 am.

Then today when I was cleaning up around our place and taking all the trash bags out to the side of the street I saw them, "Ragpickers". Three little kids digging through the trash for food and recyclables. They were filthy. Matted hair. Dirty clothes, probably their only pair. They saw me and ran up and grabbed my trash before I could get there. Like ravished dogs scrambling for food, they dug through dirty diapers and used wipes to find scraps of our uneaten food.

I brought another bag out after and one kid got it before another little girl and then they were desperately fighting over it.

I went inside broken. I had apples we hadn't eaten in a few days, we probably wouldn't. Should i bring those out? This issue is so complex. There are millions of kids in India like this. Once they know someone gives, many might be back. I can't give to all. And how can I help in a way that is lasting? I immediately asked Josiah if he thought it wise to bring apples out them. But I couldn't even get the question out before I started bawling.

Surely Jesus sees these little ones. He created them. He knitted even them in their mother's womb. Knowing what their life would be like. Surely he was even around this while on earth. How did he address it? How did he feel about it? How was he surrounded by it and not hardened to it? He says that the World will know we follow him by our love for each other and others. And a true sign that you love God and follow him is caring for Orphans, widows, and the poor. How can I do this? When the need is overwhelming, and I only have so much, how can I make a lasting difference? How can I even sleep tonight clean in my bed, with my mosqito net, fan on and bottled water at my head. When precious little children are digging through my trash right outside the wall?

Thinking back about my mind and heart last night, I am ashamed. I did bring three apples out and they ran to me and grabbed the apples out of my hands. Even that didn't feel like enough. I am not sure how to even end this post but I know that this is the begininng of something that God is stirring in my heart.