All day I kept kicking the idea around to help. My heart said YES!! But my body, still on the mend was kinda wishy-washy. Its times like that when you know you just need to bite the bullet and follow your heart. Matthew 25 kept ringing through my ears all day until my heart just overflowed with love for what some would consider the least of these. There was no keeping me away at this point!
You see, what some would consider trash, dispensable, throw away, good for nothing, mooching people, I consider to be just like me. Its a Jesus thing, I take no credit - trust me.
Tonight, certain people caught my eye and I just studied them. I wondered what they used to do before they ended up in the shelter. I want to hear their dreams and who they long to be. I think about their family, do they have any? Have they ever really been loved and supported? What kind of abuse have they suffered that's rendered them hopeless? And most importantly, what can I do to help?
I want to just pick each one up and hold them, rock them back and forth like a caring mother, maybe a mother they never had. I want to whisper sweet nothings in their ear, tell them that they are truly valuable, precious gems even..each one. I want to take away every fear, every hurtful encounter, every lie that tells them there is nothing left to offer. I want to absorb painful memories and smooth over the wounds. I want to pick them up and place them back on their feet and fill their hearts with purpose and hope.
That's what breaks my heart. It seems the chasm is just far too wide. The needs are too great. I feel I have so little to offer. Then I remember the words of Mother Teresa. "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." Keep contributing your little drops. You never know the difference you could make in someone's life.
We all have places and people to enhance. Your circumstances and experiences have enabled you care for people that no one else can. If you haven't found that place, I suggest starting somewhere until you find what fits for you. There is nothing better, more satisfying than lifting someone up. Be purposeful. Love doesn't happen by mistake. Make it happen.
Remember, its only because of God's grace that you've overcome and its only His grace that will keep you from returning. I know that at the drop of a hat I could've been sitting at those tables tonight, owning nothing but what I could carry on my back. What a humbling perspective..
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25: 32-40
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