Deep Breathing for the Soul

This month, we’re asking readers to perform one act of Simple compassion each week, and to tell us about it. You can watch my YouTube video explaining the challenge here. Each week, you pray, asking God to lead. Then pick one act of simple compassion, and go do it. Then, tell us about it.

The publicity folks thought it would be great to do this via video. Yes. Well. Seems to me that “vlogging” is not nearly as popular as blogging. But if you want to do that, you can go to a video posting site called Say It Face to Face by clicking here.  I finally figured out how to post a video there, so go check it out. If you have a webcam or even a digital camera you can post your thoughts!

Or if you’d rather, you can look at the video (click here ) on YouTube). We took this 30 second clip this morning as my friend Sharon and I made breakfast at the homeless shelter. We leave at 6:30 a.m. to get down there. WE cook, serve the meal, visit with some of the ladies who live at the shelter. The women who live there have “chores” including cleanup, so once we put things away, we leave. It’s a great serving opp for busy moms who often have Saturday morning sports events to attend–we get home by about 9:15 or 9:30 a.m. We go on the second Saturday of each month, various neighbors go each time. We have a great time. Here’s some photos:

While I think it’s great to do “random” acts of kindness and compassion, I think we are called to make a habit of compassion. I did not want to get up out of my warm bed when it was 7 degrees outside and still dark out. But I have made a commitment to do just that, one Saturday a month. Random acts are great, but living intentionally is what will transform us.

The holidays loom on the horizon, and with them, requests to donate to any number of worthy causes.

so it is with both boldness and trepidation that I write today to tell you about my friend Lawrice. I first wrote about him back in August. Lawrice grew up in tough neighborhoods in chicago and Milwaukee, but he pursued his dreams of singing and dancing. He got scholarships and loans to be able to go to college, but needed a bit of help. Many of you provided that help. Now Lawrice is getting straight A’s in college, is working hard–but he needs a little help.  

Briefly, Lawrice is going to college at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, mostly because many of you have made donations to help him.

Last week, someone stole Lawrice’s wallet from his dorm room. He recovered the wallet, but unfortunately, the thief drained his bank account.  He told me about it several days later, when he was down to eating pretzels because he had no money to buy food.

I called the school and put some money into his account so that he could eat. And another friend who’s helping him was actually in Los Angeles visiting, and she was able to take him out for dinner.

We got a lot of donations in September to help pay his tuition through November, but his next payment of $440 is due Dec. 1. I’m hoping that we can raise that, and then some, to help him. Donations can be sent directly to American Musical and DRamatic Adademy, 6305 Yucca Street, Los Angeles, CA 90028, attention Elizabeth O’Brien. Be sure to include a note to Elizabeth, telling her that your contribution is for Lawrice Johnson. The check should be made out to “AMDA” and you can put Lawrice Johnson in the memo section.

I realize there are many good causes out there to contribute to. Often, when we donate money to charity, a percentage of the money goes to running the charity itself. But in this case, every penny goes directly to this young man’s education. Lawrice is an amazing person, who has risen above his circumstances to try and achieve his dreams. He was selected as the choreographer for the student production this year, an honor given to only one student. He’s getting all A’s and working hard. But he just needs a bit of help.  Pray and see where God leads, and then follow.

Well, Elizabeth in the financial aid office at AMDA e-mailed me to tell me that the donations have started to come in for Lawrice. How very exciting! Together, a diverse team of people who don’t even all know each other are making a difference.

I’ve also received several e-mails from people who’ve said they plan to donate, but also to forward the info about our attempts to help Lawrice follow his dreams. Continue Reading »