Iron Works

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NIV

This verse is a perfect compliment to this week. Others that may have a job like mine would say they are just program managers. But my job is so much more because of the programs we have. They are not just funding sources. These programs are part of an intricate community knit together to combat poverty. Yes, the war on poverty is still on, and someone today said that it is the worst funded war in history. I have to agree. These funding streams aren't much, but what the agencies do with the money would blow your mind. The jobs aren't glamorous. They don't pay much. People aren't nice to you. We do it because we believe everyone should have a chance to live as they wish to live.

So if the money isn't much and the job is less than desirable, why do we stay in it? The people. These are what we call good people. Theirs hearts are bigger than Texas and they genuinely care about everyone. They have a servant's heart. And we keep each other uplifted by caring about each other as well as those we serve. We help each other when the job gets tough. We pray for each other when days get long. We use each other as a sounding board when we just need to get it out. We sharpen each other so we can do the work we have been chosen to do. Because we didn't choose this work, it chose us. God chose us and placed us where we are to be a vital part of this community. And we may worry a little about funding cuts but because we have kept each other sharp, we know we will keep on going. It's what we do.

It takes a village. We can't serve God all by ourselves. We must lean on each other and build others up to keep the work moving forward. Walt Disney said it best, "around here we keep moving forward." By helping each other we pass along the sharpened skills. So keep moving. Keep sharpening.