Matthew Fowler's Blog
Needed Encouragement / Nov 26, 10:01 AM
A couple weeks ago I was feeling completely overwhelmed. Between working in the school, working with Jr. and Sr. High youth groups, spending time in neighborhood and random other commitments I was spending a lot of time around people. It wasn’t that people themselves were overwhelming me, it was that their were so many needs. That I could have a great and fruitful time with one student but still have three others that needed attention they didn’t get. I could have a spend an afternoon with one lonely isolated man but pass three others just going to and from his house.
I felt like I was drowning amongst all the needs and brokenness I saw; and I knew that as much as I saw there was so much more. I was forced to realize no matter how hard I tried everything was not going to be okay for everyone. Amongst all the needs and given the relatively little I could do, I started to wonder if I am even making a difference?
After church two weeks ago in the middle of me struggling through this I went to talk with a church member who I’ve spent a great deal of time with. Without me explaining anything that I was dealing with he suddenly said: your making a difference here. Caught off guard I said well at least I’m trying to.
No, he said, you really are making a bigger difference than you know. This man went on to relay how not only had I made a difference in his life but how I had unknowingly effected many others. He said his neighbors had begun to notice how me and my teammates had cared for him and his wife. These neighbors had given up and lost hope in anything and anyone because two years after Katrina they still had needs go unmet and no one seemed to care. These neighbors, he said, saw people who cared sent but a God who cared and some because of that were choosing to turn to a God they had given up on and were daring to hope again.
In that moment I wanted to cry. God had given this man these words, the encouragement that I so desperately needed. I didn’t come to the city expecting to solve all problems but I also didn’t expect to feel and see all this brokenness. I can only give of all that I am, but If I do nothing more then care for a couple individuals and inspire a couple more to put their hope in God it is worthwhile. Like my neighbors I have to hope and pray that God will find a way to provide, heal and care for the others.
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