Monday night about seven of our church teenagers went with me to serve at the local homeless shelter. While I watched the people trudge through the line to get their hot dogs and beans, I recognized how small the gap is between me and the people in the shelter. My own shelter and cash flow may well be a temporary thing, and God certainly didn’t guarantee me a suburban home and two cars.
As always, I’m amazed at how the teens bring so much joy and willingness to every volunteer opportunity. At the end of the night, the youth group leader had them pack up the leftovers and very casually said they were going to load it in my car. I wanted to say that we were fine and didn’t need any assistance. But how could I turn down the food when we don’t know when Joe will get his next paycheck? In any case, he so unobtrusively gave me the food that I imagine it didn’t register with the teens.
I’m thankful that I have my own bed and currently a roof over my head. I’m thankful that I can still help others even when I am in dire straits. But after I dropped the kids off at their homes, I began to cry. If God is working to take the pride out of my heart, I pray He takes the rest out soon, because the process of humbling me is so painful.
What a sweetheart that guy was! I, too, get tired of being shown what’s wrong with me. It’s necessary, but painful.
What a great guy! I know what you mean on the pride…I swear I have more cracks from His molding that anything else!
Oh do I know the humbling feeling of letting go of pride. All that we are going through is so hard, and yet I am slowly feeling the pride leave and the trust in God fill the void!
P.S. the hand photos are AWESOME!!!