Tonight I went with youth group kids and another leader to volunteer at a homeless shelter. We helped to throw a birthday party for the homeless men with February birthdays. There were about 100 men at this shelter and we brought them Papa John Pizza and cupcakes. They loved it. Many dont have the chance to celebrate thier birthday. Although I have a degree in social work and may feel more comfortable in a situation like this than others, its still never cease to amaze me how much you are blessed by stepping out of your comfort zone to help others. I am not posting about this experience to brag or gloat about my experience but rather to challenge us all. Sometimes the last thing we may want to do is give up a night to be an uncomfortable setting, in a crime filled neighborhood serving dinner but maybe that will be what God challenges us to go grow. I must admit I felt that way, but God has blessed me through serving Him. We need to step outside our comfort zones and live it out. Live out the love of God through service in any way.
These men were all extrodinary. Some of them black, some white, some hispanic, some in late adulthood, some in thier 20's, some with disablities and some dressed in suits, some look members of a young band. If you you saw some of them out in the community, you would never guess they slept at a shelter. Homelessness is a result that can happen to anyone. Many of these men work but cannot make ends meet to pay thier rent. I think the youth was most suprised how normal and "middle class" most of the men looked. We didn't get to hear all of thier stories but they did talk about thier progress and staying focused on thier goal despite the barriers they faced in life. One man talked and choked up about how awesome it feels to go home at night to his own place .... Wow, that is humbling. For thier gifts for advancing to the next stage of self suficiency they received gifts of toiletries, duffle bags, shaving kits and once they had thier own place they recieved a laundry basket full of household stuff and a Mc Donalds gift card. I was very humbed.. We take so much for granted including our jobs, our home and even a toothbrush, laundry basket or razor.
Maybe not all of us have opportunities to volunteer at a homeless shelter for a night but if you do I challenge you to go. Even though you may not want to. I challenge us all to just step outside our selfish self-centered matieralistic lives and recognize the hurting world around us and give.
2 comments:
That's really awesome. I would love to do something like that. But I always think of something else to do to would be more in my comfort zone. But what a humbling experience + inspiring.
Thanks for sharing.
It is truely amazing how much God blesses you for stepping outside your comfort zone. I have never really worked with homeless people but I will be helping out at Community Care Day in a couple weeks. I never thought I would be volunteering with special needs children either. I have really fallen in love with alot of these kids and can appreciate how much work it is for their parents to care for them. Mom and I have volunteered to take care of the kids at no cost so their parents can have a night out. We haven't had any takers yet, but I think it will happen.
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