Hey all! This is Meg. Nathaniel let me take over the blog this week, so I hope you enjoy.
I have been volunteering at a homeless shelter for the past couple of weeks for a college class and I wanted to share an experience that I had today while I was there. To preface the story, I need to admit a few things: A) Although I have a heart for working with the homeless, I was really dreading my time there because I am so "busy" wrapping up this semester at school. B) I was mad that the few days that I had to sleep in this semester were taken up by my time there and C) I thought about all of the things I could be doing instead of being there. Okay, so now that you all think that I am a selfish loser, let me continue. As soon as I arrived at the shelter on the first day, 5 homeless men immediatley welcomed me and made me feel at home as they explained what I could help with. As the day continued, I found that all of them had been abused, abandoned, addicted, and rejected in some way throughout their lives. Most of them had not seen their children in years, and all of them had steady paying jobs that were eliminated as a result of the horrible economy. As I began to develop freindhsips with these men, God started to remind me why I love going on the mission trip to Toronto every summer. I get so wrapped up in all of my "problems" that I lose the ability to focus on others and realize that I have the best life in the world. We become so comfortable with going to church and calling that our "christian walk" while there are people who need our help much more then the pew needs warming.
I want to challenge you to purposefully place yourself in the position to appreciate all of the things you take for granted and to help someone who has "real" problems. There are bigger things then not having as big of a texting plan as you want. There are even bigger things than not wearing the coolest brands or driving a nice car. As you lay in your bed this evening, remember that James, Richard, Lee, Dean, and Gary are crawling into their bunks at the homeless shelter hoping that life will turn around for them tomorrow. Don't feel bad for what you have, but keep in perspecive what you do not.
As I left the homeless shelter today, they insisted that I take a box of Wheat Thins with me from their pantry. Everything clicked for me at that moment. I realized the selfishness that I had when I dreaded helping them, and I also realized that I was more blessed by them than they were by me. God used them to put my life back into perspective for me. Take some time out to help people who have REAL problems. You have to make the time, and do things for others on purpose. Trust me, God will remind you what life is REALLY about and you will be so thankful. If anyone wants to volunteer at the homeless shelter with me sometime, let me know!
