Toronto. Some see it as a city with no redeeming qualities except as a place to go to do stuff like visit the CN Tower or the Eaton's Center.
The gang violence, street population, gay community, high housing prices all conspire to keep the average church going person away from this exciting city.
But the reality is that God is the God of this city too! Every where we went we could see examples of God's work int he city.
One place stood out for me and that was the work done in and through the Downtown Toronto Alliance Church. The church has a vision to be Christ in their community. They are there to help mend broken lives. I know we don't need to go to downtown Toronto to see broken lives - they're all around us. But here, at the corner of Queen and Bathurst, it's especially clear that there are many broken lives. And it's not only those who find themselves living on the streets and begging for funds for their next meal. You can see the broken in those who "have-it-all" but when you look in their eyes you see that they too are broken and searching for meaning and purpose.
While we were in Toronto we walked beside the many volunteers who work there and handed out bag-lunches, free coffee and Hot Chocolate, played and skated with neighbourhood kids and prayed for the people and city. Was I impacted? Absolutely! One person in particular brought to reality the pain and brokenness that many live with. She was a woman who wore her lipstick smeared all around here lips. She could be found walking around the area of Queen and Bathurst. On the day I walked with her she wasn't too badly dressed. She could rant with the best but her ramblings were disjointed and ranged from accusing people of stealing her babies to accusing people of doing damage to area property. She came across to me as someone who wanted to be cared for and who would do anything to feel needed. As I talked with her I realized that she was in great pain. Emotional pain and my heart broke for her. I also realized that God especially loves her. She is His child just as much as I am.
I am left with a longing to see everyone know the love of God in very real and tangible ways. I am not content to sit by and be cozy and comfortable (most of the time).

And this is where I struggle the most.

I enjoy the soft caress and touch of my wife. I enjoy the warmth of our home. The smell of home baking. The feel of the fire in the fireplace. The warmth of the flannel sheets on our King-sized bed. The freedom to make and enjoy a good pot of coffee or a late-afternoon snack. The ability to know that I can always eat at least three times each day and not worry about whether I will feel hungry without it being my choice.
And yet there are people who don't enjoy these things. They wonder where their next meal will come from. They don't have a bed, much less flannel sheets to curl up in. They know hunger, cold, heat, pain. Why am I blessed and think they are not?
Could it be that I have the responsibility to share my blessing? Could it be that those "less well off than me" are here to help me see my own need?