“Give to the one who asks you.” (Matthew 5:42)
Before you know it, October will be here and my project to help homeless women will mark its seven-year anniversary! I’m so grateful for what I’ve learned and accomplished, the incredible people I’ve met, and how many unforgettable moments I’ve experienced so far.
What a gift it is to serve as a conduit for support, compassion, and comfort. But… I yearn to do more.
Don’t worry, I will never turn my back on the homeless women I help but I’ve always wanted to expand my work to help far more people in need — in a much bigger way.
In fact, I regularly watch videos like those below because I can’t get enough of seeing people being granted an answer to their fervent prayers.
As some of you will probably remember, I gave this concept a test run a little more than a month ago when I happened upon a home in my neighborhood that has been severely damaged in a fire. A woman and her cat were injured.
Between the flames, smoke, and water, most of the furniture was destroyed. Someone started a GoFundMe but it had hit a plateau a few weeks prior. So, I posted about it and shared the link widely.
In less than 48 hours, their donation total had passed its goal and nearly doubled.
I could easily imagine the GoFundMe organizer waking up to see all these strangers contributing and thinking to herself: “It’s a miracle!”
You see, every one of us had the inherent power to facilitate miracles. With that in mind, I wanna start doing stuff like this:
And then this:
And, as rapidly as possible, build my way up to providing this level of help:
Such work would take place in tandem with “Helping Homeless Women - NYC,” of course, but I don’t have many particulars worked out in my head yet. I don’t even have a name for it but I think the word “miracle” should be involved. (Suggestions are welcome.)
To do this, I would need to raise FAR more money than I currently do. This will be my full-time job so I’d also need to do enough fundraising to provide myself with a living wage. Basically, all I wanna do is raise money and find people who desperately need a miracle — all day, every day.
I could think of no better life for myself.
I’m announcing this now, in advance, because I want to be bold and put this idea out there to be witnessed. But also, I need to know that those reading this post are willing to commit to relentless donating and doing the steady grunt work of helping me reach an increasingly larger pool of donors.
We’re talking major fundraising and outreach, folks.
I’ve worked for decades — writing, public speaking, podcasting, etc. — to inspire independent thought and take on “the system.” Meanwhile, countless beings (human and non-human) continue to suffer.
I’ll keep writing (of course) but I now want to spend the bulk of my time providing direct relief in the most significant ways I can muster.
I will be reaching out for advice, support, and prayers.
Thank you in advance.
Imagine. Set the intention. Be bold. Take risks. Follow through. Will it into being, with action. That is the essence of magic. What you are doing is what you seem made to do.
That said, I feel compelled to challenge you on the word/concept of miracles. Not that I don't believe in miracles.
This Daily Word from Unity Church on 7/13 feels apropos!
"Zeal"
With God, I have the energy to do more and be more.
What motivates and inspires me, filling me with energy and enthusiasm? Career, leisure pursuits, and family and friends may motivate me, but they pale in comparison to my relationship with God and all it brings me. This is my deepest motivation.
With God, I have the zeal to do more and be more. I see myself as I truly am—a child of God. As God’s beloved, I am imbued with divine gifts that bless myself and others. I am confident and inspired, as well as humbled, in awe of the world and its creation.
I maintain my connection with God by the spiritual practices that best energize me. I may read inspirational material, pray, or spend time in fellowship with others. I tap into the power to do more than I could possibly have imagined.
"Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord." —Romans 12:11