Love your neighbor...

37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22: 37-39

In attempting to keep the second greatest commandment, my family has a young lady from the local project housing development come stay with us once or twice a month. Every time I pick her up or take her home I see how sad things are. I hear people talk about "...just give them a chance" but the project housing is a chance and few seem to be trying to take advantage of that chance. The children lack so many social and basic skills that it is shocking. Some of them must be shown how to use the restroom without making a huge mess at nine and ten years old. It makes me wonder what goes on in their homes. Sometimes I will pick up our young lady and see that the kitchen is filthy with dishes and trash everywhere and when I drop her off later that day or the next, it looks the same and dad hasn't changed clothes. The mothers of these youngsters appear to be trying hard to get on their feet, and often have at least two jobs. The men on the other hand often just mill about during the day and seem to not be actively engaged in much of anything.

Nevertheless, we enjoyed taking her Christmas shopping for her family and hope that she can break out of her family's cycle. She is a sweet young lady and our girls really enjoy having her visit. I am hoping to get more local churches and families involved with this ministry.