I get into some pretty interesting conversations while doing tract work in London in the Dundas St. and Richmond St. area.
The Dundas St. area from Adelaide St. to Richmond St. is ‘home’ or ‘hang-out’ of around 500 mentally-ill people. The story of these people’s lives is one of exploitation and abuse. They are also very susceptible to drug and alcohol abuse.
When I go down to Dundas St. to do tract work, I always take some money with me so that I can buy those who are hungry a couple of hamburgers at McDonald’s. With winter coming, I stock up on some extra pairs of gloves, and this year I plan on getting and giving out toques (pronounced ‘tooks’ – warm hats for winter).
My heart really goes out to these people as I also once lived on the street and know how bad street life can be. I know what it is like to stand on the street in the winter with cold hands, panhandling for enough change to get a hamburger. I know what it is like to try to wheel-and-deal selling drugs so that three or four of us could get enough money together to buy a slum-room for the night. I am truly thankful for being saved from a life of drug abuse and street life!
Last Friday night I had a number of conversations that left me with a very thankful heart that I have a sound mind. Paul wrote to Timothy that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but… of a sound mind” (2Tim 1:7). While “sound mind” in this scripture may be referring more to having a sober mind with prudence and discretion, I am thankful and do believe that God has given me a sound mind.
So, I just wanted to post thanksgiving to God for all he has done in my life! It has been a long, hard road to recovery, which has not been without failures and relapses. There is much regret in my life for the path I took when I started using drugs at the age of 15. I have caused my family much grief and wasted many years living after the flesh, in selfishness and full of anger.
I can truly say that Jesus has changed my life! He has given me a purpose worth living for.
So dear Christian, if you are tempted to be discouraged with your lot in life, remember many people have it much worse. I am reminded of this every time I go down to Dundas St. to do tract work.
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