I recently heard a story that perhaps provides some insight as to why we do what we do at OIM.
It was dinner time and things were spiraling out of control for the young family. The 11-year old son had experienced a tough day at school and was sitting at the table with a huge chip on his shoulder. In frustration he loudly barked out at his younger sister who was attempting to tease him. Mom, feeling that the son had spoken too aggressively, gently reprimanded. His response was to shout, “You're always siding with her!”
It was at this time that dad stepped in and the conversation continued to spiral downwards. Within a few minutes the son stormed out of the kitchen with tears in his eyes and strong language on his tongue. He raced to his bedroom, slammed the door shut and pushed his dresser in front of the door barricading himself in.
As he sat on the floor, the tears began to flow more freely. He felt like garbage. He hated himself, he hated his family, he hated everyone and everything. Suddenly he heard his dad's steps coming down the hall and what appeared to be the sound of dad sitting on the floor outside the barricaded bedroom.
There was an uncomfortable number of seconds of silence and then dad spoke. “I just wanted to tell you that I love you. Could you please tell me how I can help you?”
Silence hung in the air. The little guy's heart was breaking. More silence. Then dad said. “Please open the door, I just want to come in and hug you as I tell you that I love you.”
Each time I reflect on this story, I weep, as I am reminded that I am the person sitting on the floor and Jesus continually sits near, asking me to open the door wider so I can hear and feel His love for me.
We, at OIM ,are attempting to do all we can to help our friends on the street open their hearts' doors so they can hear God say, “I love you” and feel His loving embrace. We engage in a number of programs all of which have this common purpose: helping our friends receive the love of the One who died for them.
It is an incredible honor to be present when that door opens and you get an opportunity to see a person's eyes light up as they discover this truth: “Yes, Jesus loves all, particularly those with no place to lay their head.” This is just like the Son of man whom we are told, “had no place to lay his head.
Thanks so much for your prayerful and financial support to OIM. Together we are journeying with our friends on the street to open the doors, so our Lord's love can pour in.
~Shawn Ketcheson, OIM Pastor
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