In today's message I referred to a book that was helpful to me and one that I use in counseling folks.
It is appropriately entitled SAFE PEOPLE. It describes those people that make you feel better and do better and, well, … they're safe people. Their normal input to your life is positive and healthy. The opposite is obviously "un safe people." These are folks who seem to take something from you when you are with them. Most of the time, their input is negative and unhealthy. Of course all of us are EGR (extra grace required) people periodically; but, truly unsafe people are unsafe as a way of life.
After the service we had a pizza deal for newcomers to the River who wanted to chat with the pastors and a few other ministry leaders. It was pretty cool.
One of the guys at the Pizza deal told me that he had been "clean" for about four months now. He had struggled with drugs for 15 years. He said he was glad to find "The River" because he thought that we were "a safe place and safe people".
I almost hugged him (I did later!). A safe place with safe people! I just thanked God for making us the kind of place where people who don't have it all together can be accepted and then helped to get at least some of it together. The River should be a place where anyone can find a new beginning and a "do over" in Christ.
I thank God for all of the wonderful RiverRats who make the River a safe place with safe people.