The holidays are over and things have come to settle down in my life. I found December to be one of the best times in my life, meeting new friends, making strong connection, doing some volunteer work and just feeling a peace in my heart. Now January is here and I feel a lull. I am sure we have all experienced lulls in our life....that stuck feeling, like where is the road to go. I have learned to recognize the lulls in my life and how to handle them. But the first part of recognition is to pinpoint the cause and for the life of me, this past week...the cause has been hidden from me until today.
One of my favorite sayings is "the Lord works in mysterious ways." Every morning, as I head to work, I get off at my exit to look sadly at the path that has been worked away by those that stand at the exit with a sign. This isn't a sign announcing huge sales for discount furniture or $5 foot longs....the sign pretty much reads...."Homeless, Jobless, Hungry, God Bless." In the mornings this short, gravel pathway is not occupied by a person holding a sign. I always figured it was either to early or they liked to sleepin...where ever it is that they sleep. There has been times that I have used this exit during the day...the occupied time. I never carry cash and don't really know what to give them. I always chuckle that I have a can of soup or a granola bar....just not sure if they would want it. The pain that there is an actual path worn away by them standing there is painful enough.....but the day I saw a woman standing there.....was so painful. You see, I have a secret that I used to keep, however I have learned that sharing my secret has helped others view the homeless differently....my sister, about nine years ago, chose to be homeless. No, not drugs, not lazy, but mental health. Many ask me as to why I don't go get her and save her.....I have no idea where she is and no idea where to start. I know she is Texas and that is all that I know. And to be honest, I do not know if she is even alive. So on the day that the "person with the sign" was a woman, I felt moved and scared. I have wanted to do more volunteer with the homeless and just don't find the time. This past week, during my lull, numb time, in the morning, in 20 degree weather, a new "person with the sign" appeared. He is a man, appears to be in his 30's with a coat that has hood. No hat and no gloves, but he has a sign. I don't read the signs anymore....the only part I see is God Bless. The fact that he had no gloves, has bothered me for days. I need to remedy this situation. Back to my lull......
I wanted to sleep in today, not go to church, to crawl inside my lull and not work to let go of my funk. But I said enough was enough. We went to church and I listened carefully for something to be said to help me see.....Becoming involved in my church is important. Volunteering with various groups and honing into our given talents helps us grow as individuals and as a group as a whole for the betterment of others and the church as well. Even though my life was busy over the holidays I made sometime to volunteer. I felt complete like I helped and I still managed to get the laundry done. So many things in my life are going so well....but I forgot to work to do something that can help me feel complete.
So I need to become involved at church and by volunteering to do what I can to help the homeless. It may not help my sister directly but it will help others in her position. I just hope that God has someone out there that will help her in her times of need. Give her shelter, food and a slice of dignity when they can.
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