Overflowing!

Ya know, I've noticed for a while that my little home called Odessa, Tx has been growing, growing and growing!  And I'm really not sure how to handle it, other than to move along with the flow or get run over, literally!  I remember a time where there were no more than maybe five cars at a stop light, no traffice at 5am or even Midnight for that matter. But today, the vehicles are lined up everywhere! The people are crowded in the grocery stores, restaurants and everywhere you look there are oil rigs popping up, huge 18 wheelers on the roads, business trucks everywhere, construction at every corner. I mean when I get a nail in my tire that needs to be patched up and then ruin another tire from a pothole not even 4 weeks later, ugh! It's just ridiculous!  Where are all these people coming from? Well, as I'm out and about I can tell you I see plates from Louisiana, New Mexico, California, New Jersey, Georgia, Alaska, Oklahoma and it's just crazy! I mean, I've been out of Texas, but I'm telling you, I was soooo ready to get back. It seemed we were in a whole other country when we left Texas & it was pretty scary. Yes, I'm crazy, I know.

 So, I guess the times are good?  Hmmm, not sure. I went and helped out at a soup kitchen a few weeks ago, and some of the homeless coming in were oil field workers with work but no where to live! There's no where to put anybody, even the hotels are full.  And, in addition to that, when apartments become available or if you are living in one, they have spiked up the rent to a crazy amount.  I know of two families who will be moving back in with their parents due to the rise in their rent so that they can save money to buy a house.  It is so tempting to just stay at home, in my little part of the world and just keep to myself.  But, eventually, I run out of food and have to get out. Plus, Jesus doesn't want me to hide-out, I mean, He didn't.   Nope, and I don't have thousands of people hunting me down to touch them.  He did. Yet, He had compassion upon them. He loved them. He sought them out. Oh Lord, as I am out and about, help to me to see these people with Your eyes, help me to have compassion upon them, even when they may be rude or mean.  Fix my perspective on going out to be one of holy opportunity instead of dread.  Be my guide and my strength. And when I am tempted to hide out, gently pull me back in.

After all, overflow can be good.

"This is what the Lord says: 'I will give her peace that will flow to her like a river.  The wealth of the nations will come to her like a river overflowing its banks.  Like babies you will be nursed and held in my arms and bounced on my knees."   Isaiah 66:12 NCV