So, on January 1, 2011 we set out to help some dear friends serve the homeless in Dallas, I thought...that's a great way to begin the new year..serving others. I had it in my mind that I could somehow help them with this endeavor. They have a grill and were partnering alongside a ministry in Dallas called, http://www.handshearts.org/mission_ Hands & Hearts ministry. So we went out there, it was a little cold that morning, but my heart was ready to serve and to start the new year off right. I showed up and saw a group of people serving and working like clockwork to help those in need. They gave a ticket to everyone who entered into the "serving area" and they were allowed to get one item at first, a blanket, coat, shoes, and everyone received daily needed things along with as much food as they had to serve. We served oatmeal, and the team cooked fajitas on the grill brought by our good friends. I spent most of the morning visiting with the people and hearing their stories. Stories that would break your heart, stories that put a name and a face to the people we see everyday living out in homelessness. One lady in particular Brenda, shared her story with me, she has been out on the streets for about 5 years..has no living family and no income, but has two dogs. Because of her dogs she cannot stay in shelters so she lives literally on the street with her dogs. Some of us may not understand that, because we only see through "homeful" eyes. But her dogs is all she has, if she were to give them up it would mean hopelessness to her, being homeless has not put her in that state yet. Another woman I met, ( I cannot remember her name..shame on me) has only been homeless for about 5 months. She lost her job of 15 years about a year and a half ago, lived with a good friend until she lost her job too..and then had nothing so her options were to go to shelters. She shared how most of her life she was judgemental of people like "me" thinking come on get up and do something. She shared how sometimes that theory is correct, there are people doing drugs, not trying to better their lives but most of the time that is not t he case. She had some medical issues and was unable to take care of herself and now, she is being blessed by ministries in getting the care she needs. Her goal is to be back on her feet sometime this year. She said God has humbled her, it took her becoming "one of them" for her eyes to be opened, she wants to one day be able to come and serve like we were doing that day. Wow! I met many people, touched many hands, prayed many times, that day. Over all I just kept hearing..Happy New Year. This is how all of those being served there that day were greeting us. Happy New Year, it is embedded with hope, hope to a young man on the street, looking for a new year to bring new opportunties, for a family man to be able to go and and support his family, new hope for a young man who had just got a job at a appliance store and hopes to be off the street soon. A new year brings hope to everyone, all of us need it..hope that is. There is a verse in scripture that reads..."Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (HEB 11:1). Sometimes we are that "unseen" hope for people, we are His light that helps bring hope to others. My challenge for myself this year is to not only look to meet the physcial needs of others through service, but also to meet the spiritual need of faith. Matthew 11: 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Join me in making this not only a Happy New Year, but also a Hopeful new year to many!
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