Life As I Live It… » 2009 » March- The Personal Blog of Chad Block

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The Soloist

Blog Category: eyes and ears — Blogged by: chadb_ca on March 29, 2009

When I started working at the Salvation Army I knew I would be encountering a pretty steep learning curve. I've never been homeless, addicted to drugs or alcohol, and I've never suffered from mental illness. The past year has opened my eyes and my heart more and more of what it would be like to live life with any of the above. I have to admit that the most frustrating and eye opening struggle I've witnessed has been that of mental illness. A homeless friend of mine here in the Valley said it best one day when he passionately addressed a group of service providers: "If your mind ever leaves you you'd better pray to God you have family and friends who will love and surround you!" When he spoke those words my eyes filled up with tears.

My friends words very clearly reveal the harsh reality of the world we live in, and they ring in my head many days and in many meetings with those who live with mental illness. Mental illness is a confusing reality, and not just for the individuals that suffer from it's effects. The more I interact with the mentally ill the more I'm alarmed by the lack of services/help available, the barriers between them and the limited resources that are offered, and the immense lack of compassion/understanding that exists in our society. A young man with schizophrenia, a woman locked up in her house with severe depression, a single mom fighting to raise her children while battling the unpredictable effects of bi-polar disorder, an old man crippled by an anxiety disorder that stems from a unspeakable childhood trauma….

I recently read a book titled The Soloist by Steve Lopez . It's Steve's personal story of how his life was radically changed when he began to share life with Nathaniel, an individual suffering from Schizophrenia. It chronicles the intense ups and downs of Nathaniel's life, and the desperate efforts of Lopez and others to help Nathaniel find health again. The book really helped me wrestle with some of my own relationships and experiences. If there's one thing I've taken from the book it's that the greatest thing we can do in there encounters is to 'be there'. I'm reminded of what Henri Nouwen called the 'Ministry of Presence '. Thinking back on my friends words, the one thing I know we can and are called to do for the mentally ill is 'be there'. A little over a year ago (while working at Starbucks) I asked God what he wanted me to do, and as I write this I'm reminded of His answer – "Live life with people, and as you do, love them".

I'm still very unsure how to step into the lives of these people where friends and family have been lost, unable, unwilling, etc. However it happened, many of them are alone. I believe that I've made baby steps in this area, but pray for God's help with the bigger picture. These people are no different than you or I in a lot of ways (they need healing… they need a saviour) yet in so many ways we will never fully relate to the pain, frustration, and loss that they experience on a daily basis. I pray for compassion, and for eyes to see. I pray that God would teach us how to better care for those who so desperately need us. Mainly I pray that God would teach me to "live life with people, and as I do, to love them".

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A Crack In A Damn

Blog Category: lessons — Blogged by: chadb_ca on March 15, 2009

Chad Live

Friday March 6th I played my first show in the Valley. I was really nervous about it, but knew it was something I had to do. In fact, I've known since we made the move to the Island that God was going to really move me beyond my comfort zone musically. To date so much of my music has been expressed inside the church. I remember as a young man knowing that God wanted me to use my gifts both inside corporate worship, and out. I also heard him clearly state that I was to surrender the dream back to him, and that He'd be faithful to carefully bring it about in His time.

The show on Friday was incredible. I had the opportunity to play with two incredible friends (Steve H and Curtis G) and the room was packed with many other friends, co-workers, and even a few strangers. I had a sense that this show was going to 'open doors'. The crazy part has been the fullness to which God has opened the door! Since Friday I've played two open mic nights, and have made some really cool connections with local musicians in the area. I keep likening the past week to having put a 'crack in a damn'. I can't wait to see what comes of it all. One thing's sure… I know that all I'm required to do is continue following God's lead.

I share this partly to let everyone know what's going on with me musically. The bigger reason though is to share the lesson that God is teaching me in this. When I was 19 years old God clearly told me to let go the dreams He'd given me in the area of music. Since then it's been one cool adventure after another, but I'd be lying to say I haven't wondered if the dream had been lost forever. This week God has clearly reminded me that He is not only the giver of gifts and dreams, but the sovereign orchestrator and keeper of them. I'm quite sure this won't be a 'once and for all' lesson learned, but I can say that I feel a deepened sense of surrender today. God is so good, and I can't wait to see where He takes Janna and I.

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