I came home from work exhausted. I stuck my mail in my purse and climbed the stairs to my apartment ready to slip into some house shoes and sleep the night away but...darn; I made a previous commitment at a time when I had temporarily lost my sanity. My Sunday school department was going to bring comfort and cheer to a homeless community downtown and I wanted to look as pious as the rest so I signed up for the expenditure, thinking it would help me out being seen by the upper stratosphere in the church. Looking in my pantry for something to eat before I went to the church I realized payday was still a few days away and my food supplies were languishing, along with my landlord’s patience; I was few days past due on the rent.
Slapping some peanut butter on a slice of bread, I grabbed my supplies for tonight, a bag of coats I had purchased at good will, pulled on a sweatshirt and coat and headed reluctantly on my way out into the cold dreary darkening night.The church caravan of vans and cars was loaded up with all the donated goodies and ready to go, they had just been waiting for me, (darn it, they did not have to, they could have gone on and I could have gone back to my cozy warm bed!). We drove to the grimiest part of town I had ever seen. I would not come here in the daylight, let alone at sunset.
The caravan pulled up under a bridge that sheltered several trashcans being utilized as community space heaters by dozens of scroungey looking men and women. Make shift lean tos, pup tents and cardboard boxes were scattered about with sleeping bags and small individual sized “space heaters“, these belonged to the elite property owners who never ventured far from their meager belongings.
A band of men separated from the human waste pile and met the lead car, which held the minister, Bro. Mike. After a short discussion one of the men shook Mike’s hand and directed him to a parking area where we popped open our trunks and set up for business, handing out socks stuffed with toiletries, blankets, coats, bibles, and lastly but not least a treat of hot dogs and hot cocoa!
Joshua, the man that had met us, placed several men at each station and went about encouraging participation in our services by the many scarred, soiled and odorous persons present and those newly arriving. Numerous physical and mental ailments were present in this group of homeless individuals, weeping sores, hacking coughs, bronchitis, paranoia, mistrust, and alcoholism, to name a few. I wished I had thought to bring facemasks and gloves for protection, not to mention a bullet proof vest and pepper spray! (Talk about paranoia!)
Slowly a few curious and needy approached the cars and accepted our ware, warmth for the body, stomach and soul. I could barely conceal my dislike for these vagabonds. Why should I help those not interested in helping themselves?Joshua and a man named Tom came to my car to help distribute coats. Joshua was a comfortable person to be with, but I certainly was uneasy about the scars on his forehead, and the blood stains on his gloves.
What I thought would be a meager supply of jackets for this large group became an infinite supply. I could have sworn we’d run out by now but for every arrival Josh pulled a coat out of the trunk. I started mentally counting, at least sixty had come and gone, I could have sworn we only had about fifty coats! As we handed out each garment, I automatically said “God bless you” to each recipient with no genuine expectations while Josh simply said, “Bless you.” I felt the conviction of his sanction, as though he really predicted results.
At one point I had full hopes we would have to pack up and go as weighty drops of moisture fell from the skies, (thank heaven’s we can go!-sang my soul). Tom even remarked on the timing of the potential thunderstorm the weatherman had forecasted. Josh merely responded, “Why are you always so doubtful, Tom?” The rain clouds receded.
During some of the lulls while the impoverished gathered at other booths, Josh would fill me in on the lives of some of the dispossessed souls,(excuse me, but did I look like I cared? Pardon me if I yawn.)One young girl had been beaten by her drunken parents and wouldn’t go back home. I had asked why she didn’t seek a shelter and he informed me that the shelters could only house so many and it was first come first serve. Since the young girl was still trying to finish college she did not always make it to the shelter in time if she stayed to long at the library studying. Wow, she had more determination than I did. Homeless and still striving for an education.
One “gentleman” was a lawyer. This I found hard to believe, but Josh described a series of mishaps caused by undiagnosed bipolar disease that sent the man’s livelihood spiraling down hill until it reached rock bottom.
Another man lost his job and apartment because he did not have sufficient financial reserves having imprudently chosen to attempt to supplement his income with gambling. This hit a nerve with me, as I tended to hit the slot machines and casinos in my spare time, which is why my rent was late. I existed from paycheck to paycheck, I was but one paycheck away from living here myself. Josh fixed his eyes on me with this story, as though he was reading my psyche.“What are you staring at me for?” I asked defensively, it was as though he knew my thoughts; that I feared the same fate could be in store for me. He gently lowered his gaze to my sweatshirt, which advertised a gaming casino in the area. I blushed; I had not realized what top I had seized in my haste. This particular casino survived on most of my income!
“If you were a gambler, and I’m not saying you are, the money would be better spent on pursuing a career“
“What makes you think I don‘t have a career?”
Again, he looked down at my purse where a brochure for higher learning I had sent off for was showing itself, it must have been in today’s mail.
The last straggler approached the car and I had to inform him we were out of coats.
“No, there’s one more,” Josh informed me reaching into the trunk’s dark interior and producing the last coat.
I investigated one more time and confirming it was empty, I closed the trunk shut. How did the supply last until every single needy soul received one?! I latter learned that no one left empty handed from any of the make shift distribution booths. Every one was amazed at the unending source of supplies. What was the cause of our luck!
Now, at last I could get a hot dog and some hot cocoa to warm my interior. On the way to the hot dog stand I noticed Josh had some difficulty walking, apparently his feet had been injured in the past leaving him with a permanent limp.
Nearing the food station I discovered the lawyer hugging and crying with Carol, our church secretary. It seems Carol had been looking for this man for years. She had just handed him a hot dog and gone completely speechless, those nearby feared she was having a stroke. He was barely recognizable but it was definitely her lost forty-something baby brother. A lost sheep had been brought home!
“Looks like my family will be short tonight.” Josh sighed, happily, shivering. He had not gotten a coat and had personally given the last one away! How had I not noticed that?! Was it because I was in such a hurry to finish up and get out of here?I do not know why I did it, don’t ask me to explain, but I offered Josh my coat. I would be able to purchase a new one on payday if I avoided gambling. As I helped Josh into the coat I noticed more blood stains on his shirt back.
I also did something else beyond my comprehension. I sought out the young college girl and offered her a couch to sleep on until she graduated in May. She accepted ecstatically.It‘s not like she had never slept with strangers. She wouldn't take up much space since everything she owned fit into a backpack. As it would turn out, she would eventually get a degree in social work and I would work for her with hours tailored around my school schedule!
The newly found lawyer/brother would get pharmaceutical help for his problems and lobby for the hapless friends he left behind.
The man who had lost it all through his own folly got a job with our lawn maintenance crew and went on to own his own business, employing only those down and out but willing to improve. He wouldn't do any landscaping for casinos, (no need to tempt his luck.)
Having learned that bad things do not just happen to bad people, (and that but for the grace of God, there goes me!), a different girl boarded the van than had gotten off it hours earlier. (Had I learned so much in such a short time? What have I been doing with my life?) I found my coat draped over my seat. Looking out the window, I saw Joshua, washed of blood and limpless, with his eleven loyal followers trekking down the highway. I bowed my head and thanked God for allowing me the privilege of meeting the most famous dispossessed man of all.
Eccl. 9:11-12
Mark 4:39-41
Mark 15:17
Luke 9:58
Luke 24:39
John 20:24-28
Rom 12:9-13
Rom 12:20-21
Rom 12:17
Heb 13:1-3
