As we were crossing Lydig Avenue (known as little Albania) I saw my neighbor Bill lying awkwardly on the ground, half on the road and half on the sidewalk. Sadly this wasn’t that strange, it’s commonly known that Bill drinks too much; memories of wars past haunt him daily.
I walked over to Bill and gently woke him up. I personally am okay letting him sleep outside if it’s a safe place, but definitely not in the road! I looked over at my friends and told them to go home. I asked Bill if he wanted to go home too; he did, so we started walking… it took forever. The entire trip is only about 9 blocks in total, but not only is Bill extremely drunk, he has got a bad limp to boot. As we’re walking, (it’s past midnight now) I saw a local barber, “D”, from across the street. He looked at me with a grimace/smile and he said, “heck, I know that’s got to be family”, I looked at him and replied, “nah, he’s my neighbor”.
Immediately, I saw an opportunity for a conversation and I was tired, so I sat Bill down for minute to rest and I shared with D “that to get close to God, we must love our neighbor”. I asked him if knows the story of the Good-Samaritan and then reminded him of the outline… The parable seemed so real in that moment to me; and it seemed real for D too.
Pray for Bill, pray that God fills the hole in his soul that he’s constantly trying to fill with liquor. Pray for D, pray that Jesus seems real more often in his life and that He fills the holes he has in his heart as well.
G.B. Catalyst in the Bronx
Addiction…I hate obsessive compulsive behavior. I see it in so many places, I am aware of it in myself.
Praying for you (& will mention Bill)
God’s curse in Genesis 3 has had staggering consequences.
Thankful you’re planning on coming to Cedars to teach your discipling methods.