Not in my backyard...

As the set was coming to a close and the evening was wrapping up...the musician led us into his last song. I had joined a few friends out for an evening of live music. I'm not sure of the title and the words are a little foggy...but the main point I carried home. The music and lyrics told the tale of how we tend to build and protect our own worlds...yet find it relatively easy to ignore other's worlds around us, perhaps without verbally stating..."It's not my problem"...or as the song stated "It's not in my backyard..."

I've learned to both love and hate convicting songs...messages...and words. Six words instantly began repeating in my head. "My boys sleep on the floor"..."My boys sleep on the floor"..."My boys sleep on the floor." The boys I take to church with me every Sunday...and their older sister who I disciple...and their mother who I've formed a relationship with...do not sleep on beds since they moved into their new apartment. The boys sleep on the floor, their sister and mother sleep on couches in the living room.

My boys sleep on the floor.

Their mom asked me last night if I knew of any organization who could help them acquire beds. I told her I'd ask around, but nothing came to mind. I hung up the phone, reflected for a few minutes and then went on with the business of the night. Truthfully I didn't think about it again until I crawled into my own bed last night...and then again as the song convicted me tonight.

Now I don't have to help them...it is far beyond my job description. But there's something that just absolutely breaks my heart to picture them curled up on the floor.

There's a family...single mother, 12 year old daughter, 9 and 7 year old sons...who need beds to sleep in at night.

I know there are worse things and bigger problems...but if you feel led to help tackle this one...please email me at brandy@chaffer.net.

Do you have a bed you are not using and would be willing to donate?

Do you know where to get cheap used beds?

Are you willing to donate toward the purchase of a bed?

I'll sign off with one of my favorite quotes from Freedom Writer's, spoken from the character who helped hide Anne Frank during the Holocaust. A quote proven pretty popular around the center...

"I am not a hero... I did what I had to do because it was the right thing to do...that is all...we are all ordinary people....even an ordinary secretary or housewife or teenager can within their own small ways turn on a small light in a dark room."

Perhaps we've begun to take steps towards understanding Christ's love, when "not in my backyard" is spoken for injustices you refuse to accept for those around you vs. an excuse not to engage.

Boys sleeping on the floor...not in my backyard... :)