We had a guy come into the office for help yesterday. That’s really nothing new. Since our church sits right up against I-10, we get quite a few transients stopping in to say “hey” or “help.” (more help than hey).
This guy was on his way to Gulfport, MS to find work. Apparently he was hitching rides along the way and got stranded here in Daphne. He looked miserable; he hadn’t eaten since Sunday, he hadn’t had a decent nights rest in days, and he got caught in a deluge of rain hours earlier in the day. His shoes were cracked and his socks were soaking wet from the rain. He was limping because of the blisters that had worn on his feet.
We all could see this guy was legit, so the ladies in the office started making phone calls, finding food for him to eat, and before long we found him a place to spend the night where he could clean up, get a warm meal and head on to his destination today. We even bought the guy a new pair of shoes and socks and threw away his other ones.
He was so grateful. He was absolutely speechless. It was almost like he couldn’t believe we actually wanted to help him. The transformation of a guy who showed up at our office absolutely despondent to a guy who pulled away in a taxi, toothlessly smiling from ear to ear with a sparkle of hope in his eyes, was strangely beautiful.
I’ve been asking some tough questions lately; “is this all there is?” Wondering if I’m truly living “abundant life.” But I continue to learn that moments like these are what I find the most fulfilling in life. What was even more fulfilling is watching our staff rally around this guy to help him, as one body to show him the love of Jesus. I walked back into my office after this guy left, I passed by the smiles of people I’m blessed to work with who were so eager to help somebody. I closed my door, wiped tears from my eyes and told God, “thanks for letting us be part of his story.”
Have you ever had a similar experience?
0 Responses to “is this all there is? (3)”