A wonderul experience!

Dec 21, 2008

Kiersten and I had the opportunity yesterday to go downtown and join with a church that feeds the homeless. My daughter had never done anything like this and I was excited to watch her be so bold as she simply served pizza with a whole lot of love and kindness to the down and out. Taking part in something like this and experiencing first hand how these people are doing what they can to just survive is very humbling and eye opening. We live in a society with so much stuff, yet there are people that really don't know where there next meal is going to come from.

We have been in a hard spot these days with the economy struggling the way it is and it is so easy to get down and depressed in that and let yourself focus on the bad of it all. But it's hard to focus on that when you do something like what we did yesterday and I'm thankful for that opportunity. There are people all around us that have things far worse than I can even fathom.

I love to watch people and to hear their stories and that was my favorite part about yesterday. I just want to share some of my observations here and share a little of what my heart was feeling while being there.

*We were in the church watching the line grow and grow and a family with 2 little girls, about 3 and 5, were standing there with what was most likely all their belongings and my heart went out to them. I think because I am a mom and I couldn't imagine myself in a place of having my children on the street with me and in such dire places. I watched as a little boy on the inside of the church played with the little girls on the outside of the window and their giggles were music to my ears. They still had the ability to laugh and that was wonderful music. And as I stood there praying for them my prayer was that in whatever they have to face in the times ahead that they will be able to have that joy deeply inside of them. Their faces will be with me for a long time!

*A young couple walked in that couldn't me over 25-28 and you could just see the sadness in their hearts. I watched them as they chose a place to sit and were served their pizza and drinks. The young girl picked the pepperoni off of her pizza and took it outside. I wondered what she was doing and then realized that they had a dog out there with their stuff and she was feeding him. I went over to the garbage and grabbed a couple of thrown away crusts and wrapped them up and took them over to her for dog to eat later. She thanked me.

*A mom wheeled in a stroller with a baby in it and when they were settled down I went over to peek at the baby. She had down syndrome. That in itself is sad but to know the circumstances that they are facing and how hard things will be for that baby. It broke my heart. I will pray for that mama and her baby as often as I can.

*A large black man walked in almost at the end in a 3 piece black suit, hat and fancy shoes carrying a suitcase and briefcase. He looked out of place with all the rag tag people there. I didn't get a chance to talk with him but I couldn't help wonder what his story was. He definitely had me wondering as he did not fit that stereotype of what I would consider the rest of the people we were serving, yet he was there for some reason.

All in all there ended up being about 200 or so people that came through the doors yesterday and it was one very humbling experience. We served them pizza and drink and just loved on them. Prayed for them as we served and just let them have a rest for the harshness of their lives. I will never forget the faces of the ones we served and will pray for them as often as they come to my mind. I'm thankful to be able to experience this especially in the light of the holidays we are in and in all the commercialization going on of it and the collecting of more stuff. It touched me deep in my heart and I will never be the same and I can't wait to do it again!

2 comments:

  1. Jen U. said...:

    What a blessing to have been able to serve some of God's children in that way. Thank you for sharing your experience Heather! It touched my heart.

  1. Jodi said...:

    Heather, you are truly an inspiration. Thanks for touching the lives of those around you. Take care and have a great holiday season!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...