The Needs Among Us

Greetings Dear Reader,

When I first moved to Wisconsin I worked as a job coach in supported employment.  I was privileged to help people with physical and mental challenges have jobs that were meaningful.  To my constant pride and joy my sons have both chosen to work in this field.

Last night I attended a hearing where those with the greatest need were begging the county for a minimal cost of living increase.  Scattered among the pleas were also requests for conservation efforts, funding for programs, and park improvement. 

I have watched the organizations that provide care for this population beg the county every year for better funding.  These organizations are not trying to get rich.  They are trying to secure a living wage for their workers and needs based funding for the population they support.  It breaks my heart that such dedicated people have to beg for funding.

When will we learn that our character is revealed in how we care for the needy?  When will we get as a people that if we do not support those who need it to live “normal” lives then our lattes and smart phones are just extensions of our greed?  I left this work because I could not meet my family obligations on the pay. 

The people who work in this field give up holidays with their families so that those they serve can have holidays.  The job never stops with the five o’clock whistle.  Their hearts get broken as they watch those they serve lose funding that could provide better quality of life.  The money they need goes to buy more parks and recreation space so little kids can feed the ducks.

How can we call ourselves Christ followers when we fail to support this community who deserves and needs it?  How can we hope to reach them with the Gospel when we tolerate practiced social injustice for the workers and the served?  It breaks my heart that the dedication and efforts of this group leave them begging for bread that gets fed to ducks instead.

God of Justice (We Must Go) – Tim Hughes

God of justice, Saviour to all

Came to rescue the weak and the poor

Chose to serve and not be served

Jesus, You have called us

Freely we've received

Now freely we will give

We must go live to feed the hungry

Stand beside the broken, we must go

Stepping forward, keep us from just singing

Move us into action, we must go

To act justly every day

Loving mercy in every way

Walking humbly before You, God

You have shown us, what You require

Freely we've received

Now freely we will give

Fill us up and send us out

Fill us up and send us out

Fill us up and send us out, Lord

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)