fences

It was just a little over two years ago that Michael and I stood on our front porch and made a big decision.

We had tossed around the idea of selling our home, moving to a different part of the city, upgrading, and getting out of the ‘hood.  Actually, it was more like wrestling, than tossing.

At any rate, we stayed.

Why, you ask?

Well, we stayed because it made financial sense.  And we stayed because we truly believed God was asking us to stay for our neighbors.

But, I promise you, the choice wasn’t easy.  Since then we’ve had moments, days and maybe even weeks of regret.    Because there is stuff going on out here in our neck of the woods.  And I don’t mean bonfires and kumbaya.  We’ve got police raids at two in the morning, broken families with no Mamas around, and drugs, and vacant houses with foreclosure papers on the front door… and the list goes on and on…

When we made our decision, believing we needed to stay and be Jesus here in our neighborhood, we had no idea what that meant.  None.  We prayed about it. and prayed about it some more.  And …..  nothing.    It isn’t that easy to find common ground…  In fact it has been complicated.  Our good intentions have felt mostly useless.

Here we are two years later, and something came up.  Our neighbors across the street now have three pit bulls chained up in the front yard.  We’ve had enough experience with these particular dogs, that Michael and I decided to fence in our back yard.  Our children needed to feel safe while playing outside in our yard, and this seemed to be our best option.

Never in my life did I expect what happened.  This fence, with its inherent purpose of “keep out”, has seemingly invited people in.  Michael has met more neighbors in the past two weeks, and had significant discussions with several guys, all with the fence as a conversation starter.

who knew?

I’m reminded that God uses what He chooses for His own purposes, for His own glory.  I couldn’t have dreamed up this “fence as conversation starter” if I tried.   He knew exactly what was necessary.

from 1Corinthians 1:

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

I’m grateful, that maybe He can use us, here in the ‘hood after all.  But in His time, and in His way, with His wisdom and His strength.