tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post1366962673290919922..comments2024-03-27T03:25:08.267-07:00Comments on Life in the Shoe: Post 8--Poverty and Wealth--What Happened LaterDorcashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-59998969270774538182018-03-28T08:52:01.520-07:002018-03-28T08:52:01.520-07:00About 10 years ago I heard Donna Beegle from Portl...About 10 years ago I heard Donna Beegle from Portland speak on poverty, and generational poverty in particular. As "average" Americans it is hard for us to understand what children of poverty "learn" growing up. This was brought to mind a few months ago when a friend was sharing about the refugee population that has recently joined their church. Many of these people have never really lived outside of a refugee camp, and therefore have no idea about things like running a household and all that can entail. When their hand is out to receive something, it is not laziness, it is a lack of experience with our world. That woman with the smart phone using a SNAP card should not be judged for not having something more economical. It could be that someone in her family pays for it so she can communicate with them and vice versa. If you have ever had someone you love go of the radar, you know how frightening that is. We can never truly walk a mile in their shoes, because we have a community that holds us up, and a Father who carries us through it all. <br />So glad you wrote this. It is something that has been on my heart for years, and this was a good reminder that we need to see Jesus in them and do more than say, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled."mbwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08535492695404926024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-15472633201315393252018-03-26T06:52:49.257-07:002018-03-26T06:52:49.257-07:00I am blessed by the way you told your story in thi...I am blessed by the way you told your story in this series, with honesty and courage as well as kindness and the willingness to be wrong. You write from a place of hope and stability that gives weight to your words. <3ShariZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17792723253256673530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-13259511921687570032018-03-25T13:43:53.394-07:002018-03-25T13:43:53.394-07:00I prayed this morning that God would give me the w...I prayed this morning that God would give me the wisdom of Dorcas. And I was totally serious. crystalkupperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06659420169932283744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-53491495887631522802018-03-25T13:38:24.069-07:002018-03-25T13:38:24.069-07:00I have really enjoyed this series, and the thought...I have really enjoyed this series, and the thoughtful words put on these things that can be felt but hard to define. I can relate to so many things you mentioned. When we got married, my husband tithed more than 10%, a terrifying amount actually. :) We bought a house, a fixer-upper, and rented it to someone from church in exchange for around 20 hours of labor a month, while we went to Mexico in mission work for several years. We didn't have enough money for our trip to Mexico, and bought gas with our credit card, knowing that we would get a paycheck by the next month. Our housing in Mexico was provided, and we made house payments on our house at home during those years. And ate beans. And made lots of friends. Now we have been married for 10 years and are back "at home," our house is paid for (and much nicer than we left it), and we just made the last payment on our third adoption. This isn't actually possible, except for miracles by a generous God and also our extreme wealth of People. (We had many financial gifts for our adoptions as well as an interest free loan from church folks, as well as an enormous love gift from the churches in Mexico that we served) Since our tithe amount is on an increasing scale, we now give more than we did 10 years ago, but it's no longer terrifying. It's good. We have an incredible abundance, and feel happy and blessed. That's your free Sunday afternoon story. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-6911663724296131482018-03-25T09:03:37.117-07:002018-03-25T09:03:37.117-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-26848988878006017962018-03-25T05:44:25.028-07:002018-03-25T05:44:25.028-07:00So glad to hear there has been grace and healing i...So glad to hear there has been grace and healing in your family. Parents do the best they can in the circumstances and with the resources they have. Children don't usually understand that until they become parents themselves. And no matter what a parent does, the children usually want to do things differently, and then their children complain about something else! As long as there is not malicious intent, as long as communication is open and loving, families can overcome a lot of hurt. I'm so grateful for you sharing your experiences because it is helpful to know that I am not alone in experiencing trials. God bless you!Rozy Lasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06019413665136390175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-76680475471607358182018-03-25T05:32:16.078-07:002018-03-25T05:32:16.078-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.mrs bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-25389942554795577292018-03-25T05:29:31.185-07:002018-03-25T05:29:31.185-07:00I’ve so enjoyed this series. I did not myself grow...I’ve so enjoyed this series. I did not myself grow up in quite the level of poverty. We were poor but dad was a carpenter and we did alright. <br /> I do feel that our children could relate better to this level of poverty. For some years we struggled oh so much.....and yes it resulted in many emotional problems. <br />We don’t come from a anabaptist background although we have and still do sometimes, fellowship with Mennonite type churches.<br /><br />I’ll be sorry to see this series end. So interesting and relevant to me in many ways.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-55651979004079059472018-03-25T05:15:34.927-07:002018-03-25T05:15:34.927-07:00This series has been excellent, Dorcas! I notice a...This series has been excellent, Dorcas! I notice a lot of comments are from those who share your experience with poverty. I wonder if there is anyone else here who has had the opposite experience? I grew up in a family culture where money was a tool; it was rarely discussed but was just there when we needed it. I do remember the stigma of being the "rich family" in our Mennonite community, along with the assumption that if you were not struggling together for every penny, you could not possibly appreciate each other and have strong family relationships. (An unjust assumption, in my experience.) When I got married, I was very eager and willing to learn about frugality and living with less. This was never a hardship for me, but nothing prepared me for the pain and brokenness of the poverty spirit I encountered. Even after twenty-plus years, I am still trying to find my way through the effects of the struggle I see in my spouse, extended family, and even in my children. Sharing your experiences here with so much grace and wisdom has clarified a lot of things for me. Thank you!mrs bnoreply@blogger.com