Learning to Serve

So one day you carve time out of your “busy” schedule to help cook breakfast for the homeless in Baton Rouge. It’s a pretty easy thing to do, doesn’t disrupt your schedule, you can still make it to work on time. It’s nice to be able to help the less fortunate you think and a good opportunity to fellowship with other Christians.

Then there’s the day you have the opportunity to go and help serve the food you’ve been cooking. And you’re never the same again….

You see, until you meet these people you don’t understand. These are God’s children just like you and I. “Homeless” can be a very general term until you really understand…. These are people from all walks of life, each one has his or her own story and each one has a face and a name. They all have a mother and a father, some are mothers and fathers, and they are sisters, brothers, husbands and wives.

Some struggle with addictions that are so dark they don’t think there’s any hope for them. Some struggle from mental illness. Some are on the streets from a variety of bad choices or a set of unfortunate circumstances. Some came for work that didn’t pan out and they are left with no way to get home.

You start to wonder, why them and not me? And you know it’s only the grace of God that separates you.

Then there are the little things you never thought about before meeting them. Why do they need socks, underwear and clothes each week? Duh, there’s no washer & dryer on the streets.

So now you’re the one with the addiction, but it’s a God given addiction to help the homeless. You pray that he gives you the opportunity to serve each week and the resources to help out financially. You pray for words of wisdom to share with these people, that it’s Jesus’ words not yours that they hear.

You pray for Janet, Marlene, Peter, Victor, Chris, Jo Bob, Sandra, JD, William, Richard, Rufus, Mr. Charles, Adolf, Annie, Billy, Scott, Mr. Alvin and all the others that you meet. You pray that the bus ticket, glasses, shoes, jackets, blankets, ride to the detox clinic and medical care that these people receive show the love of Christ.

You pray for the volunteers that they have the strength they need to keep giving when sometimes it seems hopeless, you pray that they are blessed & protected by God.

Proverbs 21:13 says:

If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.

I am so glad God opened my ears, eyes and heart to these people.

It is so humbling to have the chance to serve for his kingdom. I hope those I have the privilege to serve see Jesus through me.

Julie B.