My mother was divorced, and times were tough for a single woman trying to raise four young children. But in spite of my adversity, the same challenge that faced the rich young C.E.O. stared me in the face every day. People pretending to care while others sought to take advantage of me did not make it easier to form a deep abiding relationship with the One they called Jesus. I observed more ritual in the church than personal persevering promises to God. And the world certainly didn't mirror this kind of commitment because nobody was giving up anything.
Life is uncertain.
But every once in a while God would show me flashes of commitment all around. And these individuals were intently committed. The challenge to me was three-fold. I learned at a very young age not to put my trust in material things. She would collect bottles and cans and sell them to the store for a nickel apiece, and then she would help older people get their supplies at the store, and they would always pay her for her kindness.