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Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Poor (10/25/04)
TITLE: Cultural
By george elerick
10/27/04
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His eyes sunk down even lower this time, lower than before, the parameters of his vision only allowed him to see his fit, that is if he could see from his eyes. He had somehow found a way to react to every day life as one who could see, as one who had the brightest panoramic vision known to all around. He was laying over a body that had recently been a live, someone he knew who was to dear to him, the only family he had left who cared. His son, but now, James was unexpectedly shot by some nearby gang affiliated youth who were at the moment being tried as adults for the death of a 6 year old boy. James was dead, and so was a part of him. He didn't know how to react except to love. He was spurred to love those who he wanted to hate so much. Although, he had no address of his own, he decided after the proceedings to invite the young gentlemen over for dinner that he would make~~blind. He couldn't do it on his own, and he knew that. While he lay prostrate over the body of his now dead son, he prayed and grieved, grieved and prayed for the strength to love the most unlovable in his eyes. He realized during this conversation with his savior and creator that if he tried on his own strength, he would want to react solely out of anger, malice, and hatred. He had every right to feel those things, but knew inside that there was more this story then he could ever fathom.

A week later the doorbell rings and in step 4 men in their mid-20's who reluctantly make themselves at home in their victim's house. They didn't know why they were there, they just knew he wanted them there. "I forgive you! I love you all, and I want you to know something. I couldn't do this on my own strength, in fact, I am not doing this on my own strength! God is helping me. He can and will help you, only if you ask, only if you believe. Close your eyes all of you, imagine a place you have never seen, but as you get closer to this unimaginary place, you feel most at home and most at ease when you are near there, that is God. That is the one who created you all more than what you have been living. There are second chances and you all have it, just take it and try it out. It will be worth it."

That evening 3 men walked away citizens of Heaven.

The grand paradox where up is down, and down is up, and 1st is last and last is first, being poor means knowing you have no answers and your humility isn't based on your goodness, it is based upon grace alone. Being poor in spirit means relying on the things of God and realizing you do need Him more than yourself. It is a healing and invigorating knowing that everybody is on their way home!!