On a more positive note however, this experience was amazing. The best thanksgiving day I have ever had. I got to the salvation army to see people from all walks of life there excited and anticipating the opportunity to serve those in our community. Every socioeconomic status, ethnicity and age group was represented. There was a young three year old all the way to a few ladies in their eighties. I was amazed. Imagine if people had this attitude throughout the entire year. Once we began to serve people I began to learn. I realized that each person who walked through that door had a story and a life that no one tends to care about. I saw people who had not showered in days maybe even weeks. And to think this morning I was so frustrated because I was running late and had to rush through the shower. At least I had a shower in my nice safe apartment that I can use whenever I want to. I saw whole families coming in thankful to be together regardless of what they did or didn't have. I saw people from many different walks of life acting like old friends. I saw people who believed god was taking care of them even if it had been a few days since they had eaten and even then it was the remnants of a burger found in the trash can. Then I saw "Sarah". I saw a young lady not much older than me that was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders and in her heart. I saw the life she had experienced through her eyes and her slumped posture. She was so appreciative to everyone who crossed her path while she was there and stopped to pray before eating to thank god for everything he had done for her. How incredible to see god even in those conditions. I was fortunate to be able to talk to this young lady for a while and hear where she had been. She served in the army and was now living on the street. With many stories in between. And yet we made her day. We said that she was worth the time to provide her with food and even to serve it to her. We said that she was worth our time and that she mattered by wanting to hear about her. Is that all it takes? Then why aren't we doing that?
Oh my goodness, everyone should have this experience at least once in their life. It is life changing. I was impressed from the time that I got there. It was not the typical picture of massive lines of people standing and waiting to have food plopped on their plates. It was a restaurant experience with each individual having their own personal server. This was due to the amazing amount of volunteers that came to spend part of their thanksgiving day with the community. But it started with the idea that these people deserved more.
How incredible. What can you do to impact your corner of the world? It doesn't take much effort and it is an incredible gift to yourself. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Follow up to Thanksgiving Part One
So, I mentioned that I met a lady who we will call “Sarah.” Well I had her on my mind for the remainder of Thursday and even through tonight. Unfortunately I did not think ahead enough to find out any more than her first name. SO Thursday night after stopping by the church to pray about her I set out to find her only to fail. I was so disappointed that I let such a wonderful opportunity slip through my hands. Then my friend told me that everything was in god’s timing not mine. Sure I said. WHATEVER.
Fast forward to Saturday. . . I worked this morning and could not do anything right. I forgot an important perks number on a huge transaction, broke the computer and could not remember where anything was. So I had every intention of going home and hiding under the bed. Instead I took a shower and got on the pile of homework that I need to have done by the end of this week. I was actually productive writing a five and fifteen page paper. That deserved a break I though so I went for a drive and the first thing that I thought of was finding “Sarah”. I had never gone to the area where she lived from my apartment so I missed the street I was supposed to turn on. So I turned on the next street over so I could get back where I needed to be. The funny thing is that I wanted to get back where I thought I needed to be, not where I really needed to be. As I was driving down to find somewhere to cut over I looked to my right and there she was. Are you kidding me? I could not believe it. If I would have turned where I should have I would have been a block away from her but would have been no better off for it. So, I turned around right where I was, bottoming out in the meanwhile, and was able to catch her. We got to chat for a couple of minutes and this time I got a little more information.
I have been so amazed with this entire week and hope that this is a benefit to someone. It was to me.
Hope everyone had a great holiday!
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