Tonight as I stood at the back of the Rescue Mission looking out at a sea of faces, I remembered my first experience with the homeless. It was my DTS, we were doing this ministry at a coffee shop..our job was to mingle and talk to the people. I was terrified. I guess because all I thought about was me, and what if this and what if that. It was one of the longest nights of my life.
This evening was so different. My job tonight was to clear out trays and cups and make sure tables got wiped down as wave after wave of people came in to eat. The night flew by. I cracked jokes with a few here and there who were not eating their brussels sprouts (can't blame them..I am not much of a fan either), passed a long a smile, shook a hand or two. No time for conversation. No time to hear their stories. I don't know that much has changed in the situations- but much has changed in me. I wish I could have heard where each one came from. Why are they there, was it decisions, or rough circumstances.
Some eyes were clear and full of hope, others hollow, some were glassy from drinking, others filled with wells of sorrow. Some would not look up. Others flashed with pain. Regardless of where we have come from, each of us has value. A simple "May I take your tray, sir" restores dignity, for a moment. Jesus let it go much further.
1 comment:
"May I take your tray, sir?" brought me to tears. Not even sure why...
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