I switched up my internship setting this semester. This decision, the change, has truly been a blessing. I'm working as an overflow shelter monitor with City With Dwellings here in Winston Salem. I have witnessed community and family in ways that were previously unimaginable. 80-year-old church ladies run circles around me feeding men and offering hospitality. A man who spent nearly 40 years in prison is one of my most valuable assets. I watch in awe as he cares for his elderly brother soaked in urine, experiencing dementia. For twelve hours a night, two to three nights a week, I bask in the glory that is mercy, grace, community, and love of other (if not love of self).
Every morning, at precisely 5:30 A.M. I turn on the harsh fluorescent lights and wake guests. There's no subtlety or beauty of a sunrise. It's merely a flip of about four switches. An hour later, guests must leave the warmth of the church basement, fellowship hall, or gymnasium. It doesn't matter which location I happen to "work" at, the morning routine is the same. I watch as God's created people wake from mostly restful night's sleep, wrapped in the warmth of community and a donated blanket. I watch as men (sometimes women, but mostly I work with men) adjust to a the reality of transitioning from this space of being cared for, seen, and known...to the reality of being cold, feared, and invisible.
Tonight, I am heartbroken after a situation required us to ask a guest to leave. We actually had to ask two to leave. One guest has some pretty severe mental health issues and consistently requires our attention. The other guest, would be a model citizen had his life circumstances been different. But, here's the thing...tonight both guests were at the limit of what they could tolerate and had an altercation. No one was hurt, but it escalated and the decision was made that it was unsafe for them both to be here. It's 15 degrees and snowing in North Carolina. I can honestly say, I don't want either of these me to be outside exposed under these circumstances.
Tonight, in the middle of a potentially physical altercation...I stood between two men, not because I was brave, strong, or sensible. I stood between them, because in that moment it was all I could do. Should one bad night mean a night in jail when one already has multiple offenses? Should one bad night mean one doesn't get to see their child in the hospital? Should one bad night and the inability to see through one's circumstance change one's narrative and trajectory? I don't know. But, I know for some of my friends it all started with one bad night.
I've had plenty of bad nights. I've felt invisible, abandoned, unloved, hungry, left behind, misunderstood. I too come from a life that had it's beginnings in addiction, mental illness, poverty, and uncertainty. I am a culmination of not only my choices, but the choices of others and the grace of God. So tonight, I saw myself and prayed that for a moment my friends could see not only what I see in them, but what God sees in them.
It's not for me to tell the stories of my friends, I have my own story to tell. I get busy and forget to remind myself to breathe out this gratitude, that this "work" does more for my soul than writing a theological statement of faith ever could. This is what I'm meant to do, sit with these people, in uncomfortable chairs, share a meal, and be a mirror of God's unending mercy, grace, and love. I am every one of these guys...
So, if you are close...click on the link above to volunteer and experience the breath of heaven that exists between 7:00 at night and 5:30 in the morning. 6:30 A.M. comes sooner than you think though, and you won't look at a person experiencing homelessness the same after watching your friends walk out the door into the cold. If you are unable to volunteer, donate!!! There are more needs than you can imagine. My friends could use gloves, coats, blankets, gift cards to coffee shops and restaurants, earplugs (to drown out the noise of fellow guests and assist in a sound sleep), Tums, socks, underwear and on and on. If you work for a company, perhaps donate a meal for 20-30 and volunteers can serve. If you have financial resources, consider a tax deductible offering. Do you pray for us? The us is big!!! It includes you, the staff and volunteers, our guests and the community that supports this work. Does your organization offer employment to those in phases of re-entry or with felony records? Don't forget your voice. Many services are denied to those experiencing poverty, homelessness, or have criminal records. Vote, change laws, advocate!!!
Matthew 25:35-36 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, 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.
We are all Jesus and we are all the stranger, the prisoner, the one who hungers and thirsts...Be kind to one another. Here's the link again if you need it...Be the Hands and Feet
Peace,
M
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