The Good Life

Dear Inner Circle,

A good life isn’t necessarily one that has been comfortable, smooth and uneventful. Many years ago Lisa and I found a skinny little kid just staring into our pantry, he looked up at us and sighed “One day I want to be as rich as you”. He grew up in a household of cyclical violence and shame and even though his history still haunts him, he has grown into a remarkable young man with a capacity to look forward, plan and trust in a destiny that is yet ahead. We met recently to celebrate a two-year anniversary in the job of his dreams as a factory foreman. We recalled some tough history, but we now had freedom to celebrate what he had achieved so far and his future hopes. He also reminded me of the time when I had asked him what success looked like. His reply was fast, confident and delivered like I’d just asked a very stupid question. “All the bills would be paid and the pantry would be full.” It had never occurred to me that survival can be one of the highest forms of success.[vc_row columns_on_tablet=”keep” padding_top=”0″ padding_bottom=”0″][vc_column h_text_align=”left” h_text_align_mobile=”left” v_align=”v-align-middle” use_background=”” width=”1/1″][tm_image image_id=”1381″ link_image=”none” textarea_html_bkg_color=”#ffffff” caption_type=””][/tm_image][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row columns_on_tablet=”keep” padding_top=”50″ padding_bottom=”50″][vc_column h_text_align=”left” h_text_align_mobile=”left” v_align=”v-align-middle” use_background=”” width=”1/1″][tm_textblock textarea_html_bkg_color=”#ffffff”]This week I sat with a young woman who had been doing so well, but recently hit a brick wall and some old habits. We sat together, and she did more weeping than talking. How easy it would have been to offer advice that was not sought. How tempting it was to seek my own comfort by attempting to stop her pain, rather than being alongside her in her utter discomfort. Had I sought to control or preach, I’d have been one big human contradiction. Instead I sat beside her, as one big tower of weakness. At Wayside we don’t aspire to fix people but rather to meet them. Often we meet people on the worst day of their lives. We offer support through our presence and don’t try and solve problems. Our approach may be disappointing for those who long for magic solutions but is pure gold for those who only need to know that someone is there to listen to them and that they are not alone.

There is a dapper old gentleman who we first met when he came to Wayside for support after his life unravelled unexpectedly. After decades of a successful career, the stress of his life is apparent but he carries his years well. Over the past few weeks he has repeatedly informed me that he will be running a full marathon for Wayside. I often hear stories to which I nod and smile, no matter how far-fetched they seem. Imagine my surprise when yesterday he presented his registration kit. This man is in his late 70s! He’s entered into the race to raise money for Wayside because he’s been so thankful for the support we’ve provided to him. What a lovely gift. If you’d like to support him, you can make a donation to his fundraising page here.

Thanks for being part of the Inner Circle.

JonJon Owen
Pastor & CEO
Wayside Chapel