Two hours, two tears...
Most Saturdays I find obvious signs of love and hope being freely doled out by you to those who have come to rely on it; but rarely do I arrive and wonder how I will apply my faith. Saturday was a reminder that I need to remedy this.
I went canvassing for the second time since SCM started over a year ago. Steve and I met Roderick (picture above). He decided to join us for a meal and some company. On the walk he spoke of his life and how he was struggling to make ends meet with his job, pregnant wife, and two dogs - all living out of his car! I've met people in the same circumstance before and learned that this life includes the stressors of finding safe place to park, being barely able to move and stretch your legs, lack of sleep listening to every sound outside the car, and not mention the typical need to search for food and other basic necessities.
As we approached the SCM site he broke down and when I asked him how he'd like God to intervene, he said "I need stability", so we prayed for just that. Then he was gone; I got involved in the operations and I lost track of him. I assumed he left to find his wife but turns out he spent a good portion of two hours offering free manual labor to help get the adjoining restaurant ready for its opening. When he emerged towards the end of the day he told me that he was offered a job, and when the staff at Love In Action heard he was homeless they said they'd find a way to get him a room!
In two hours a man went from crying tears of hopelessness to tears of joy.
In two hours a man went from lonely to loved.
In two hours a man went from self-seeking to servitude.
In two hours I was reminded that my God hears the cries of the oppressed and acts swiftly, but sometimes that man is me and my faith that I entrap inside a small box.
Some further good news is that we moved our supplies into the room provided (see picture above) by Love in Action on site. This is a big burden off of Tim and I. Prior to this, we'd have to meet on Friday night to load the truck and then again early the following week to unload it. This took time away from more important and fulfilling things like family and, well...getting time with you and our neighbors at the SCM.
The SCM doesn't happen without your support - if your group would like to host a weekend or if you know of a business owner who might like to join us to offer their services or products, contact us and we'll get back with you ASAP.
Feeling left out? Don't! Meet us at the Street Corner on February 18th. See you there!
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