“Be compassionate as you Father is compassionate. Do no judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Pardon and you shall be pardoned. Give and it will be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into the fold of you garment. For the measure you measure with will be given measured back to you.”
Luke 6:36-38
Freedom to Love Copyright John M. KIngery 2012
Nearly three years ago, I applied for my position with Outside In as data analyst/administrator. I had not worked for thirteen months, and our savings and Cobra health care benefits were nearly exhausted. A friend of mine had seen the job posting on Craigslist and suggested I apply. I would be using my technical skills in helping homeless youth and the poor. It was an intriguing opportunity for growth and transitions, plus income we desperately needed.
I received a phone call from Ann while attending a support group for the unemployed. Someone actually wanted to interview me! What would it be like working again? What was Outside In like? I visited the website www.outsidein.org. I was impressed reading about their extensive medical and youth services including a medical van, transitional housing, plus educational and employment services.
On the day of the interview, I walked down from the light rail station crossing over the freeway. I prayed God would help me to do well in the interview and show me if this was where I was called to be. Did this middle aged person from the suburbs fit in?
A week or so later, I was hired. Over time, I have become more comfortable and connected with our clients. My job is still in the back supporting our caring and innovative staff and volunteers. I have heard the joy in a client’s voice announcing he had received his graduated. Earlier this year, I was able to the excellent short films created by some of our clients. There have been tragedies such as client suicides. Events such as those deeply affect us.
My wife and I have not been blessed with children except for nieces and nephews. The Outside In clients are in a way an extended family. They are homeless for a variety of reasons – family, drugs, alcoholism, abuse and sexual orientation. As I see it, they are God’s children too and anything we can do to bring them from the outside in is something worth doing.
These young people and older poor we serve have helped me to be more compassionate, less judgmental. They and my co-workers have given much to me pressed down and running over!
In closing, I want share the following that was sent by a co-worker a few weeks ago.
See that pregnant teen over there? She was raped. See that guy doing his homework from last night? He convinced his friend out of suicide. See that man with the ugly scars? He fought for our country. See that guy who is sobbing? His mother is dying. See that show-off guy? He’s standing up to bullies. See that fat woman? She has a health problem. Don’t judge people. You don’t know their life.
Peace
John