I couldn’t help but think about John & Pat as I drove into work this morning. I looked down the road towards the overpass and wondered if the cement protected them from the wetness of another snow globe like day.
For some, spring break didn’t include Cancun, Disney World, or warm weather — but it did mean making an opportunity to bless a community in the Twin Cities.
I received a phone call from a youth group co-leader on my way home from work. I learned the plans we previously made to visit the children’s ward at the local hospital wasn’t going to happen. At the same time, I took my exit and sat at the red light and saw the sign I hadn’t seen in weeks that said, “Homeless, anything helps. God bless.” Immediately, my thoughts turned towards this group. What can we do to bless them today?
The girls were excited and energetic. They rushed to the grocery store and picked out desert and beverages to share. Together, we prepared a massive pan of spaghetti and garlic bread. We rushed out the door and arrived at the meeting place right on time. The first thing John & Pat said to us was, “We get stood up all the time by people who say they’re going to bring us a meal. Thank you for backing up your offer.”
We handed the pan of warm food and a bag of essentials to help them enjoy the meal. They looked at us and said, “Do you have any idea how many people you fed tonight? When people find out about this food we have, they’ll keep coming.” I looked at the girls and saw the smiles on their faces. I felt the tears begin to well-up in my eyes. We exchanged some dialogue and asked if we could pray for them. They shared a little about their lives and the toughness of the streets.
We prayed.
John pointed to his pack and told us it was all he had. I asked him where they stay and he pointed towards the overpass. “Right under there, but it hasn’t been very dry lately.”
We got back into our cars and pulled away. Conversation erupted from the girls.
“That was so awesome. We need to do that again.”
“Can we make another meal soon?”
“I was really nervous, but it wasn’t bad at all. They are people, with stories just like us.”
“Wouldn’t it be cool if we got to know them & started a Bible study with them?”
My heart was full that night. We talked about the statistics and what people say or do to make life more difficult for others. We realizrd even though the statistics & opinions of beggars may have some truth — they are no less worthy of the love of God. That night, we didn’t care what everyone else says or thinks, because we knew what we were called to do.
My route home doesn’t change much, except last night, I looked up. Knowing John, Pat, & their friends were up there. Praying they would be reminded of hope & love again soon.
