My feet were dragging as I sniffled my nose and said a prayer as I walked into the building. I wasn't feeling well and my heart was in a difficult spot. Yet the call of duty was to go and serve and bless and share life with so many youth and their families. It's amazing what a smile can do; lifting the heaviest of hearts and easing the biggest of burdens. Hugs were given, hands were high-fived and the turkey was served. The flow of traffic was minimal at best, so with body aching, I decided to go sit down and rest a minute.
In that moment as I literally sank into the chair, I heard God whisper to me to look up, and that's when I saw her. Covered in pink and purple and bundled in well-worn clothes, she sat on the bench talking to herself, all alone. My heart was moved and I walked over and met a new friend. Her name was Ruth, and she was waiting for a church service to start. With no family here, she said she is friends with many "holy people" and doesn't have many teeth left. I gave a little smirk as my heart was warmed by her sincerity, her authenticity. With great joy I went and got her a heaping plate of hot, delicious Thanksgiving food, carefully wrapped with foil for the road ahead.
I came back and she was beyond grateful, all for a warm plate of food. A student of mine, one trapped in such anger and bitterness from not having a father, walked up and was curious as to what was going on. I made the introductions and asked if we could pray for her. The two of us laid our hands on her and we prayed as the tears began to flood my eyes and my heart began to soften. I knew the Lord was doing something, yet I didn't know what...but I knew it would be good. We said our Amens and our eyes met, tears in both of our eyes tinted by the redness...and a smile swept across all of our faces in that sweet moment.
Something had shifted in that moment, clearly Jesus was there in our midst doing what He does best. You see, it goes deeper than a face. Every face has a name behind it, every name a story that goes with it, and yes, the eyes are the window of our souls. (Matthew 6:22-23). And somehow, in that moment, it was as if God was literally calling out each of our names. In the midst of our pain, covering 3 generations represented by the 3 of us, all with a different story and different issues, yet all alone prior to this moment...we were now together, united and calling on the name of Jesus.
The hardened and tough student walked away, grinning from ear to ear with a bounce in his step. I watched as she slowly made her way outside into the brisk air of the night, plate in hand. And I sat there reflecting. Where would she sleep tonight? Does she know she is not forgotten? And then as a tear rolled down my cheek I was reminded of how incredible my God is. No, we are truly never alone. Yes, love wins every time...
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