Something happened this morning that had a profound impact on me.
Her name is Michelle. I have been watching and praying for her since she stumbled into town and began her daily treks to the liquor store next door. Some days she seems quite coherent, as on the day I met her and found out her name, but mostly she is extremely strung out on whatever it is she takes. Our youth had a garage sale a month ago and she saw the sign that I had propped up in my van window (shameless advertising :-), and we got to talking about the things she needs. I told her that when our sale was over we would bring some stuff to her place. We took a truck load of clothes, bedding, towels and a few dishes to her place. The group of them live in what used to be housing for brain damaged adults and has now become a flop house. Noone was around when Kevin went to drop the stuff off, so he left it in the middle of their courtyard. We never did find out if they got it or if she even remembered our discussion and knew where it came from... until this morning.
I had just got to work and had the door propped open to let in the fresh spring air and Michelle came by. She walked in with a lone daisy, tears in her eyes and her arms stretched for a hug. She had come to say thank you for the stuff I had given her. I hugged her (I am ashamed to say that I was a little apprehensive about hugging her, with my middle class paranoia of street people's health issues), but I did give her a hug, because that is what Jesus would do. She was very clear this morning and she told me a bit about her life. She asked if she could have a few of the candies I keep on my counter and then she went next door to visit with Cora who works at Sunnyside.
Well, that encounter and Michelle's gift of the daisy sure touched my heart. She came by again before she headed back to her place to 'find her sweetie' (who is 28, she is 41, and he told his mom that she is 21, so she was pretty happy about that :-). She told me a lot of things about her family and specifically her mom. I actually happen to know who her mom is; a Christian woman from another church. Lots to think about today. Mostly though, that I am glad I listened to God and reached out to Michelle and I will keep praying for her and helping her as the Lord leads. And maybe my horribly boring, unchallenging job, has a much more divine purpose!
Her name is Michelle. I have been watching and praying for her since she stumbled into town and began her daily treks to the liquor store next door. Some days she seems quite coherent, as on the day I met her and found out her name, but mostly she is extremely strung out on whatever it is she takes. Our youth had a garage sale a month ago and she saw the sign that I had propped up in my van window (shameless advertising :-), and we got to talking about the things she needs. I told her that when our sale was over we would bring some stuff to her place. We took a truck load of clothes, bedding, towels and a few dishes to her place. The group of them live in what used to be housing for brain damaged adults and has now become a flop house. Noone was around when Kevin went to drop the stuff off, so he left it in the middle of their courtyard. We never did find out if they got it or if she even remembered our discussion and knew where it came from... until this morning.
I had just got to work and had the door propped open to let in the fresh spring air and Michelle came by. She walked in with a lone daisy, tears in her eyes and her arms stretched for a hug. She had come to say thank you for the stuff I had given her. I hugged her (I am ashamed to say that I was a little apprehensive about hugging her, with my middle class paranoia of street people's health issues), but I did give her a hug, because that is what Jesus would do. She was very clear this morning and she told me a bit about her life. She asked if she could have a few of the candies I keep on my counter and then she went next door to visit with Cora who works at Sunnyside.
Well, that encounter and Michelle's gift of the daisy sure touched my heart. She came by again before she headed back to her place to 'find her sweetie' (who is 28, she is 41, and he told his mom that she is 21, so she was pretty happy about that :-). She told me a lot of things about her family and specifically her mom. I actually happen to know who her mom is; a Christian woman from another church. Lots to think about today. Mostly though, that I am glad I listened to God and reached out to Michelle and I will keep praying for her and helping her as the Lord leads. And maybe my horribly boring, unchallenging job, has a much more divine purpose!
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