Leroy Barber's Blog
Do You Believe? / Mar 25, 09:26 AM
Dear Friends,
Mr. Miller is a 75 year old gentleman who lives next door to me and has lived in my neighborhood all of his life. He and his wife keep their property immaculate. They sweep up around it daily, paint their house once a year and keep a well-manicured lawn. The Millers are special people. They have been married for nearly 60 years and sit on their porch together talking most mornings as I pass by their house. They watch out for our house when we are away and always offer an encouraging word.
Mr. Miller and I have had many conversations about the plight of our neighborhood. He knows it’s not in the best shape but he ends every conversation by saying, “it will all work out in the end.” I am a bit more cynical about these things, but Mr. Miller’s life keeps speaking in a major way and penetrates my cynicism most of the time. The Millers embody what it means to live good lives in the midst of challenge. They have been sweeping the same pavement, painting the same house and manicuring the same lawn for over 50 years. The Millers are the picture of commitment and dedication.
Dr. King, in describing the beloved community, declares that the universe is on the side of justice and that, eventually, good will prevail over evil. What Dr. King so eloquently wrote and preached is lived out next door to me everyday by a couple who may never be famous or see their musings in print, yet still believe that it will all work out in the end. A couple that has lived through racism in the south and knows Jim Crow personally, still believes.
“I believe; Lord, help my unbelief,” said the tearful father in Mark 9. Jesus had just declared that with him all things are possible. The man’s son was possessed by a demon and had been for a long time. This father wanted to believe Jesus, and probably did. Still the history of his son’s behavior was there. Life in the city can sometimes be that way. You see overwhelming problems and a history of hurt and failure in so many lives. It’s hard to believe, even though you desperately want to, with so much injustice in front of you.
This is where the Miller’s undying commitment helps. Our staff and team members walk these places and live in the reality of pain and suffering daily and it is people like the Millers that help us to continue believing. People like them and people like you – committed people who give to encourage us as we seek to walk with our neighbors in what often appear to be impossible situations. We believe. Would you continue praying and supporting financially to help our unbelief?
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