The Shelter Is Full
Well, tonight I got a dose of reality at, of all places, Food Lion. My beautiful wife Jamie and I left Alex with his sisters for a few minutes and ventured out into the cold tonight, in search of my precious half-n-half. I know, it’s pitiful. While there, we decided a tub of Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream wouldn’t be so bad either.
As we were standing in front of our cashier, we watched her wipe a tear from her face. She said a homeless man had just come in, asking for food. She said she would give him some, but asked where he was going to sleep tonight. He said, “in the woods, I guess. The shelter is full”. This obviously upset her, and us. She said she was going to go down to the dollar store and get him a blanket. We left feeling guilty that we were spending six dollars on nothing, while this man was struggling to survive. I know it’s everywhere, but my sin is blocking out things that are unpleasant. Tonight God simply did not allow that, and I’m so grateful. We got halfway home, turned around, and went back to the store to give some money to the cashier to help this man. She was still in the dollar store when we got there. She had picked up a couple of mattress “egg crates” and two or three blankets for this man. I thank God for His grace, and I pray this man will find a warm place to rest tonight. Count your blessings….. James 2:16 ….. That cup of coffee will be accompanied with much reflection and prayer in the morning…
“I don’t know the suffering of people outside my front door
I join the oppressors of those who i choose to ignore
I’m trading comfort for human life
and that’s not just murder it’s suicide
this too shall be made right”
SONG: This too shall be made right
WRITER: Derek Webb
Thank God for the reminder. And thank you for posting it.
Last night going home from Church at a corner that I turn on to go into Battleboro, I noticed a man in the edge of the woods. At first it frightened me b/c one minute he was there and then he was gone. I thought to myself what is he up to, I wouldn’t of even thought that he actually could be living in those woods. I worry or at least think about money and the lack of it in my house, how the next bill will be paid and so on but I thank God that I have a home to be concerned about. I will pray more for the homeless and hungry b/c of your post. We all need to think about donating more food, blankets, coats and other items to the shelters and ministries in place to help these people. With the economy the way it is more and more people are turning to these places for help. It could be one of us at any time!!
Thank you for sharing this Michael. I too was reminded of Derek Webb’s song that Jason listed above. We all take so much for granted…we all fall short of the glory of God. We can only strive to improve. Thanks for going back.