2013 New Year’s Resolutions

There are a lot of facts about how well people stick to New Year’s Resolutions. Instead of making New Year’s Resolutions you already know you won’t keep, consider contributing to or joining some of the following:

 

Interfaith Works provides shelter, food, and clothing to
         low-income and homeless neighbors.

Upcoming Event: Companies Caring Breakfast 2013

Join 300 corporate leaders, public officials, foundations, community partners, and friends from the faith community on March 1, 2013 to celebrate our partnership to help those in need.

www.iworksmc.org

 

Gaithersburg HELP is a year-round food pantry serving the Gaithersburg community since 1968.

Donation by credit card: More Information

Alternate Giving: More Information

Volunteers Critically needed: More Information

www.gaithersburghelp.org/

 

The Dwelling Place, founded 21 years ago, is a housing program that provides transitional housing and support services in Montgomery County, helping families transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

Upcoming Event: Carnival of Chocolates in the Spring of 2013 - details to be announced

Upcoming Event: Community Breakfast in the Summer of 2013 - details to be announced

Upcoming Event: 25th Anniversary Dinner - Fall of 2013 - details to be announced

www.dwellingplaceinc.org/

 

Stopping to Help – Another View of the Good Samaritan

In the June 11, 2010 Our Daily Bread, Marvin Williams tells a story about Dr. Kurtzman who encountered a multi-car car crash on the way to giving a keynote lecture but stopped to help out.

With my many years in pharmaceutical research, I’ve come to know many medical professionals so I know, up close and personal, that not all of them stop to help. Your gut reaction perhaps, like mine was, might be to ask “how could they not stop and help? They are professionals.”

Just like the first two passers by in the Biblical story of the Good Samaritan, they didn’t want to get involved - at that particular moment. One senior nurse told me she was afraid of getting sued if the outcome was not good. She knows someone who got sued and even though she is a practicing Christian, she doesn’t want to take the risk.

For those of us who aren’t professionals, I feel the excessive use of electronic communication makes it easier for us to pass by live events even when we can help in some small way. I spend 90% of my work day on the computer and when I exit Union Station to see many disadvantaged people begging for money, I have one of two reactions. Sometimes I am just so overwhelmed with my own sorrows that I slink past them hoping someone else will step up to the plate that day. Other times, God opens my heart and I pour it over everyone in my path.

These disadvantaged people are mostly men - the women do not survive as long in that circumstance. Many are homeless and some get limited assistance but it’s not enough to live someplace and eat. They are part of the chronically unemployed who never get counted in the national statistics. They have no hope for a better tomorrow. And, it’s all they can do to make it through the day so they can huddle in the shelters at night.

Williams concludes his devotion with a call to action “let’s be those who stop to help.” I can help in some small way so I am taking this to heart.