Everything seems “upside down,” as my hubby describes the current state of our culture. Are you also concerned about the culture we hand off to the next generation? Maybe, like us, you’re paying close attention. Who else is raising civic-minded kids and grandkids?
Naturally, I couldn’t wait to ask PATH Executive Director Andrea Wilson how her parents did it.
We have so much to be thankful for here in East Texas. With Thanksgiving around the corner, I wanted to highlight PATH.
PATH, People Attempting To Help, is a local nonprofit started by a bunch of outstanding ladies in our community in the 1980s.
PATH and Civic-Minded Help
At PATH, they don’t just dump pretensions at problems. Instead, case workers and volunteers really engage with the people they serve. Each day, they build relationships.
Dave and I are thankful for the way PATH comes alongside folks when crisis strikes. They are experts at community building, one person, one family at a time.
Oilpatch Benevolence Fund
One way East Texans can help PATH is through the OBF (Oilpatch Benevolence Fund). If you would like to join us in helping help families who serve in the energy sector, contact our friends at ETCF.
Andrea’s Mom
Andrea shares how her own mother inspired her by her example of generosity and giving herself, not just her spare change.
“I grew up in a household where that was just what she did. She was the one who was taking food to someone was sick, when someone had a baby,” says Andrea. “She instilled in me that that’s just what you do. You help folks who need a helping hand because you never know when that’s gonna be you, too.”
In the early 80s, Andrea’s mom discovered a unique way to serve others, by volunteering at a new nonprofit called PATH. Keep reading for more about Andrea’s Dad and how her parent’s generosity complemented each other.
By the Way: For Book-Lovers:
Just in time for Christmas, local authors gather to bless East Texas.
Book Bananza because we’re bananas about books! Get books signed.
AND, Ta-da! We have our first two sponsors for the Writing Friends PopUp Seminar:
A big Thank you to them for helping us keep the seminar cost so low! Find more about Writing Friends PopUp Seminar Sponsors at the end of todays blog.
Sign up HERE for the Writing Friends PopUp Seminar!
❤️Christmas can be FUN and done! ❤️
Andrea’s Dad
“I have this vivid memory of my dad sitting at the kitchen counter with a checkbook, you know the good ole days. Paying bills, balancing the checkbook,” Andrea reports.
Apparently, he came across a bunch of random checks Andrea’s mom wrote.
“He said to her, ‘Now, Alma, we make a monthly donation to PATH. I don’t want you passing out checks at that reception window.’”
Ironically, Andrea had the same conversation with her own husband recently about their credit card. She didn’t think he would notice if she filled up a few tanks for people who needed help until one day he asked her, “Why do you need so much gas?”
Oh, the sneaky ways we find to be generous! Hilarious!
The Perfect Balance
What a perfect balance Andrea’s parents provided for each other! He was so careful in his stewardship of their family finances. She was so generous and spontaneous in wanting to help people.
“Mom was not a generous person in spoiling us. But she was so generous in the care she gave other people,” Andrea adds. “I know that influenced my desire to get involved.”
Civic-minded: Conservative AND Liberal?
I love the way Andrea’s parents epitomize our Camp Krafve definitions of liberal and conservative. Of course, with our culture upside down, our words get tossed around as insults. However, we are determined to push back on those who abuse our language. Find more about a call to common sense.
Our Camp Krafve Definitions of Liberal, Conservative, and Moderate
Naturally, you won’t find our definitions in any dictionary.
- Liberal—Life-long learning about the generosity of sharing yourself
- Conservative—Life-long learning about how to steward resources wisely to have something wonderful to share
- Moderate—the lifelong process of learning to judiciously take into account others’ perspectives without compromising personal conviction.
Homelessness, Civic-minded, and Community
One of my questions for Andrea included how we get away from all the judge-ness around homelessness.
I hear sincerely civic-minded people say, “Well, they should get a job.” Or, “If you were more caring, you would help more and then, we wouldn’t have all these problems and there wouldn’t be homelessness.”
I hear both perspectives and they hurt my ears and hurt my heart. I’m not even sure what I’m reacting to.
Fortunately, Andrea helps people daily, so she can offer insight to the rest of us.
When I asked, she shared a ton about how homelessness needs to be addressed in our communities. I hope you will listen in to our conversation to hear this tented, experienced leader talk about one of the most crucial challenges of our time.
“So back to what you asked about judgmental, I really think its’ just a matter of us putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes for a minute and really wanting to try to understand them,” she says.
How Do We Understand Each Other?
To close, Andrea shared a story of a woman who put herself in Andrea’s shoes. With tender understanding, a client at PATH asked Andrea an unexpected question.
“‘Can I pray for you before we get started?’ I lost it. You know?”
Janice was there to ask for rent assistance. Her need seemed immense, with her home in jeopardy. But she took a moment to focus on Andrea, on the other side of the desk. Instantly, a lasting relationship blossomed.
Janice learned Andrea’s mom was very sick.
“I truly believe God sent her because I needed a connection with somebody,” Andrea says. “So, she has continued to be my prayer partner over the years. Back and forth with one another. So that was a precious blessing for me.”
It’s been six or seven years since the two friends first met that day in Andrea’s office.
“She (Janice) taught me the power of prayer and how important it is, regardless of what our need is.”
Nuts and Bolts of How PATH Works
In case you want to start a similar nonprofit in your community, Andrea offered to share information about how PATH works on a daily basis to anyone who is interested. You can read her via their website. She is also available to come talk to your organization. (To volunteer at PATH.)
Better Relationships For the Next Generation
It’s so crucial for us to teach the next generation by example whenever we can, like Andrea’s parents did. Andrea summarizes the lessons she’s learned over the years to a few key tips:
- Slow down,
- Make eye contact with folks,
- See yourself in them, and
- Realize we’re not that different from one another.
“Building a relationship with someone is the only way to help bridge the gaps,” she adds.
Relationships Equal Accountability
I really think relationships are the accountability in the mix. That’s why sometimes writing a check just doesn’t cut it. You have to give of yourself and get involved in some way.
Believe me I am grateful for all the donations to nonprofits around East Texas, making this community so incredible. People work hard to be able to give. But donations are a first step in being civic-minded. Accountability happens—giving of ourselves happens—in the relationships that are built.
We are grateful for YOU!
Speaking of cherished relationships, we are so grateful for YOU! Thank you for being civic-minded yourself and for caring about our community.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, we are counting our blessings and YOU are them! You are our friends in this endeavor to get positive messages out into a hurting culture.
Thank you for reading today and for sharing it.
🙂
cathy
May we pray together?
Dear good Father, we suffer because we live in a world groaning for the Savior’s love. All around us people hurt. Thank you for nonprofits like PATH, their staff, donors, and volunteers working everyday to help those who seek help. Teach us to be like Your Son who gave Himself and entered into our world. How do we do that, O Lord? We want to raise civic-minded kids who care about families and community. Help us. We need You today. Bless us now because that is Your heart’s desire. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
We LOVE to hear from YOU!
Who most influenced your desire to give back? How are you teaching the next generation to be civic-minded? What do most pray for in your community?
A BIG Thank You to Our First Sponsors
By sponsoring our Upcoming Writing Friends PopUp Seminar, they are keeping the cost low for attendees. We are so grateful to have their support!
Home Instead is hiring now, if you know someone with the heart of a caregiver.
Christian Communicators exists “To educate, validate, and launch women in their speaking ministries through conferences, workshops, webinars, retreats, resources and provide ongoing support and prayers.” They are an integral part of the Deep in the Heart conference coming up in February. More on that soon.
Mission Statement: PATH
PATH seeks to restore HOPE with a PERSONALIZED approach to EMPOWER our East Texas neighbors to THRIVE in our community. Find out more or make a donation at PATHhelps.org.
More Favorite Quotes
“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.” ~Mother Teresa
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” ~Philippians 2:5-8
Cathy Krafve, host of Fireside Talk Radio and author of The Well: The Art of Drawing Out Authentic Conversations and Marriage Conversation: From Coexisting to Cherished. We welcome your stories, ideas, and questions at CathyKrafve.com. Truth with a Texas Twang!
Trackbacks/Pingbacks