planted seeds... now trees...

(From a former Diakonos member):

dear diakonos,

very strange to say this but most of you probably don’t kno me.
crazy but its already been two years since I graduated penn, so its been 2 years since ive served with diakonos :(
(for those of u that dont kno me, i tend to write long emails so feel free to skim through :p)


well. i just wanted to share but also encourage and thank you all for doing what you do.

a couple weeks ago I was waiting for my coworker to catch a train. he was running late coming so I was waiting for him with both our tickets in hand with about 20 min till departure. I saw a guy standing by a café asking ppl for change so I asked him if I could buy him a sandwich instead. while I was waiting for him to pick his meal my coworker rushed into the station. I handed him his tickets and quickly explained I was just waiting to pay for his meal.

he wanted to get to our gate asap. (and don’t get me wrong, he’s a really really great guy. I love working for him). he asked how much the food was and pulled out his wallet. he only had 20s and asked if I had change. I told him I had cash, handed the man $7.... It didn’t feel right.

walking away he asked how I got talked into that situation and I told him that I had offered.

once we got on the train he began telling me about how the meeting went but for the next couple hours all I could think about was that man – was he offended in anyway; did the $7 include a drink. I wasn’t as concerned about his physical hunger as I was of his heart. did I help him realize he was a lovable son of god, or did the way we rushed away from him hurt his heart even more, or was his heart already too hardened to feel anything.

I silently lifted up a prayer for him, and as I was praying for him I was filled with thankfulness, thankful that I was still aware of the father’s heart. that my values and priorities were different from this world. that my hearts main concern was on his lost children…

i miss diakonos a lot. i miss being able to freely love and share the gospel. its really a privilege.


for those of u graduating, especially if you will be working, I want to remind you to fight for your heart to be pure and holy.
fight for all your passions to be rooted in god. fight to love what he loves and hate what he hates. it may start with one homeless person you walk by without even realizing, it may be cutting back your prayer times just 5 minutes, but don’t be let yourselves deceived in the small things.

that’s one of the reasons I still stay on this listserve. walking from my office in dc, running to/from the airport, i see ur emails. although its meaningless to me when/where you'll be meeting next it reminds where I should be and who I really am. do what u need to do, but don’t take it lightly, don’t go unprepared. God has amazing plans for you so its only natural for the enemy to attack you.


well. im almost done... just one passage and i'll be done. i promise.

psalm 56:10-13

In God whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise
in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you.

For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God in the light of life

indulge in that life he's given us. to the fullest.
bless you allll looots. miiiisss you!!


hugs.

juhee