No Shave January

I'm following along with Ryan Riddell's 30 Days of Homelessness. A few friends and pastors are supporting by not shaving for 30 days... through the month of January.

Check out what Ryan Riddell is doing by going to 30dayshomeless.tv.

Our hope is to raise awareness and support for homeless people. So often our society pushes people to the edges; treat them poorly; walk on the other side of the street. Yet they are real people. People who are like you and I needing the warmth of kindness, generosity and an awareness of our dignity.

So here is a before pic...

And after 9 days . . .

Except for my goatee, this is the first time that I have gone this long without shaving. I've had a few conversations with people and am painfully aware of this fact. In addition, I have felt the irritation of having longer hair on my neck and cheeks.

At any point, I am experiencing this in many ways like I do when I fast. When I feel the discomfort whether from the social situation or irritation from the longer hair; I take a moment and pray for the homeless people in our world. The discomfort in many ways reminds me of how I take so much for granted and sometimes treat people with less respect than God calls me to show.

I'm praying for Ryan and the work they are doing in Cincinnati; and wondering what I might do here in DuBois, PA.