My Struggling Friends

Every time I go to the City Mission, it takes days to unpack the pile of thoughts and emotions that crash around inside my head. This past Sunday was no different. Eight incredible people from Grace Church served a crowd of hurting people who attended the Missions Sunday lunch. A meal offered to the homeless in our community.

I’m always amazed by our people. How graciously they engage with our struggling friends. How quickly and enthusiastically they jump into the simple tasks of kitchen work, serving food and clean-up after the meal. Watching them sit at the tables encouraging the guests with broad hope filled smiles will be one more indelible memory for me.

I can’t begin to recount the many conversations I had but the content was the same in all of them. People pleading for help. “Help me buy medicine!”---“Help me with a few bucks to feed my child!”---“Help me get free of Oxycotton!”, ---“Help me get a room so I can get off the street!”….“Help me….help myself!”

Mark writes of a time when a large crowd followed Jesus and pressed around Him. I felt that exact thing on Sunday. People pushing in extremely close asking for just a moment of my attention, hoping for a little relief. It was overwhelming.

The afternoon ended with me and this alcoholic guy hand in hand praying for Christ to grant forgiveness and a new start. Not sure how to close this post. I'm still sorting things out.