Hello, I hope this finds you doing well. Life sure does get busy quick, and makes it hard to find time to serve and to write, but I am so excited to be able to sit down and share my heart with you today!
For the past few weeks, I haven't been able to find time to see my homeless friends. I found myself thinking of them often, but also found myself in a bit of a funk. I felt more negative than usual, and disconnected from God. This weekend, I decided I needed to make it happen, and I was going to find time to go see them one way or another.
Since I couldn't make it Saturday, I decided I would go today. I haven't been to Loaves and Fishes on a Sunday before, but I'd heard they had mass, so I went to check it out. As soon as I walked in I got emotional. They had transformed what was normally a small dining hall into seating for about 50. The hall was bustling with boy scouts, and other groups that had come to join the mass, and volunteer at lunch after. Looking out the window, was a line quickly forming of mostly men, and a few women, eagerly waiting to get in. Some were dirty, most came already sweaty from the heat outside, they all had the few things they owned with them, but they all came with the biggest of smiles.
As they began to enter THEY greeted us!! They came in and shared hugs, and handshakes as they filled the seats one by one. A few minutes later, Catholic mass began. Have you ever been to a church where it felt like everyone was trying to be perfect, and judging you on your every move? Yeah, me too. Well this my friends, couldn't have been more different. Everyone in there was so genuienly happy to see each other, and so welcoming. Throughout the mass you would hear "Amens" and "Praise God" as different parts of the mass spoke to the people. I have been in many Catholic churches were I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, but I have been to very few where I felt it as strong as I did today. During the sign of peace, the homeless walked all over the hall greeting their friends excitedly. Yall, I am telling you, if more people were excited to be at church on Sunday's like some of these people were, the world would be a very different place.
By the end of mass, I'm pretty sure I had gone through an entire pack of kleenex, because the emotion and joy of witnessing Christ at work in these people's hearts was overwhelming! Next up was lunch time.
As soon as the mass ended lunch began to be served. I headed out to my favorite place outside and waited for them to come. Within minutes, the familiar faces began to pour onto the patio. Once again, I got emotional as the hugs started. You never realize how much you mean to these people until you don't go everyday, but more importantly, I never realized just how much they meant to me. It took me a minute to realize my heart had been aching for the past several weeks to see these people; to see my friends.
I was reminded throughout lunch of the great glory of our God. These people, who literally have nothing were quick to offer me their water, their dessert, or their seat. It made me wonder, could I share like that if I were in their shoes? Do I share like that now, having more than enough? Then I realized, once again, that was the beauty of God working through these faithful people.
We shared the beauty of the mass, a meal, many laughs & countless hugs. My heart is so full today, and I am reminded that indeed, there is always angels among us.
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