I have spent part of the day talking to vulnerable folk, some of them are homeless others living in bed-sit accommodation or are living in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation. All of them attend our Wednesday morning and Monday night drop-ins, many of them find their way to other drop ins around the town during the week. Each time I listen to their stories I am struck by their ordinariness, struck by how one piece of bad luck or poor judgement can lead to a downward spiral, and I am left to ponder that this could so easily be me.
These folk have families, some have been professional people, others can simply remember how life became so intolerable where they were that at the time homelessness seemed a preferable option. One of our regulars loves to bless people as they come into the drop in, another will fetch anyone a cup of tea, and me I enjoy their company, I have got to know their names, I ask after their families and they ask after mine.
Today I was greeted with a hug and a kiss on the hand, I returned the hug, and gave Pete a kiss on the cheek, and I am becoming more convinced that some of the best gifts we offer are those of friendship and of touch. We can feed the bodies ( and a hot meal is available in the town everyday for those that need one), and we can help to provide warm clothes and shoes, but the holy moments come when we spend time listening, when we offer prayer together, when we hold a hand or return a hug, when we recognise the individual and our common humanity. Some days the whole thing overwhelms us and we feel that we cannot do enough, and the truth is that we can't, but then we catch the eye of one of our friends and hope sings out, each drop of difference, each act of kindness is a step along the way, and the best part is, is that in some way we are making the journey together. Today an ex-homeless person came to the drop in as a volunteer, he wanted to give something back, to help others on their journey. Surely God is with us....
i'm gonna look twice at you
until i see the christ in you
i'm gonna look twice at you
until i see the christ in you
when i'm lookin through the eyes of love
when i'm lookin through the eyes of love
when i'm lookin through the eyes of love
when i'm lookin through the eyes of love
i'm gonna look twice at you
until i see the christ in you
i'm gonna look twice at you
until i see the christ in you
