Throughout long days of work, kids, and school, I oftentimes find myself full of complaints. My back hurts; my head hurts; my eyes hurt from staring at too many computer screens; I don’t have any time to write; I’m tired! Yet just when I find myself letting all of the negatives into my mind, and I start to feel the “woe is me” coming forth from my mouth, I slip on my bright yellow “Zion” shirt and walk through the door of York First Church of God to receive a large dose of humble pie. If only the people I encounter there could have the same complaints that I do, they would be truly blessed.
Picture a small basement room set-up with tables full of food/drink items. In a back corner, there is an extension that contains bins full of clothing sorted by gender and size. Blankets, coats, scarfs, gloves, and shoes are placed accessibly. Circling the room are church volunteers standing with expectant faces, waiting to serve their community and lend a helping hand to those in need. To our church this is known as The Zion Project.
Those Friday nights I usually spend sitting at a front table signing-in those that come in the door. I am always delighted to see new faces come through as I realize that word of the program is spreading, but it is also distressing to see that so many are hurting for basic supplies. Homeless, jobless, and those that just do not make enough no matter how much they work, all file in with grateful hearts and warm smiles. Sometimes just walking through the door provides them a little relief from the bite of winter outside, or the baking of the summer sun.
Oftentimes, parents are the ones waiting their turn in line. Little children are at their side, impatiently standing as they have noted toys in one corner of the room. To their delight, they are told they may pick one. As they run to the table to explore, I hold back tears at the realization that on many occasions there are no shoes on their feet, and that sometimes, in the dead of winter, there are no coats to cover their shoulders. However, the worried looks on the parents’ faces are soothed as we tell them we will do our best to find something to fit them, and at the very least they would be leaving with a blanket for warmth.
As each family receives their box of supplies and they go to exit the church, a big “God bless you” leaves their mouths with lots of “thank you” to go around. The looks on their faces are different than when they first arrived. A bit more hope is placed in their expressions as they realize that they can feed their family that night. I am full of guilt as I realize that my complaints are the very things that each one of them wishes for. A job to go to every day, access to a computer on a regular basis, an education to push them forward in life, and a different reason to say “I’m tired.”
I thank God for my lesson in humility as I go home to my family. Driving I am thinking about how I could be in that line on Friday nights due to my own financial stresses if God had not given me help through my family and friends. I know that this is God’s way of turning those blessings around to help others. This experience has been such an eye-opener in so many ways. I am just grateful to be a small part of something bigger than myself.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:35-46 (NIV)
Noise for Strangers 