Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his name! Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with mercy and compassion, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your mouth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103, RSV)
May the peace of the Lord be with all of you!
I have just completed my third week of serving at the Saint John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter. I cannot begin to say how happy I am that I took this position. I cannot begin to say how humbled I am for the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon me. For years I have attempted to find happiness according to my own will. It turns out that following my own will is futility.
My work at the shelter has proved to be an opportunity for human growth. Working with the poor has taught me that all people deserve respect and dignity and working with them has proved to me that they are all human beings with real needs and real problems. I feel I am growing as a leader as many of the volunteers need a little direction to begin their day. Most of the homeless crave direction and often they all pitch in to help clean and sort through donated clothes.
Most importantly, working with the poor as helped me grow spiritually. In observing the homeless that come to our shelter I have learned that I take for granted the basic needs that are a given for most of us....Shelter, food, and love. I believe the greatest need we all have is knowing we are loved as many of the people I serve have been abandoned by others and are left alone. My work has made me stop more often and thank our wonderful God for the gifts he has given me that I take for granted as if it were a right and not a privilege.
The most wonderful fruit I have experienced in serving the poor in Green Bay has been to feel the presence of God around me when I help someone who has no one else to turn to. Or to treat someone with respect and dignity when they are embarrassed that they need your help and feel terrible for accepting it.
I have learned through this experience that those who are truly blind are the ones who suffer from spiritual blindness. Anyone who thinks God is in some far off place and existed thousands of years ago is truly blind. All anyone has to do is open their hearts and their minds to know that the Lord is among us in the most simple places. Seek the Lord and you will find him. I know this because I see and feel his presence in all of these people every day. That my friends, is the best blessing of all.
Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless you all!
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