There, but by the grace of God, go I.
It’s a sentence that I hear myself repeating from time to time. Last Saturday was one of those days I heard it in my head a lot.
I went to south Dallas with a team from Stonebriar Community Church to help feed some homeless folks. We had 150 soggy souls come through the door.
I didn’t expect rain when I went to bed Friday night. But, we got some good showers during the night and into the morning. It’s one of those times I’m grateful I have a solid roof over my head.
Yeah, I remember recently signing a lease for another year in my small apartment. I hope nobody thought I was complaining. If I was then I’m not now.
When we arrived at the kitchen/dining hall we were met by a surprise on the good order. Another group from another church was already occupying the kitchen preparing a meal.
These were the folks who didn’t show up the previous two months. That’s why we were there to begin with. They definitely need to work on their communication and commitment skills, methinks.
Not a big problem. We served their pulled pork sandwiches for lunch and packed our fried chicken meals to go for the needy. All things worked together for good.
I was assigned to the check in counter/table. I had to write down the first name of every other person who came in for a meal.
It was a bit of a challenge hearing the name the first time they said it. Most homeless folks don’t have a lot of dignity and/or self worth left. They tend to speak softly.
There was this one guy I’ll never forget. He bent closed to me and began spelling his name to me without saying it first.
S-O-U-L-J-A
I hope he’s a born-again believer so when he’s called home to Glory he can be called Soulja the soldier. That’s the type of name I want to fight alongside of, methinks.
I’m so glad my church goes down to south Dallas on a regular basis helping the homeless. I’m gonna need these reminders of how close I’ve been to joining these people from time to time, especially when my writing/speaking/singing career takes off.
The last thing I want is success and fame to go to my head. I’ll be useless to God then. I don’t want that to happen.
I don’t know how many of these people will ever get out of the situation they find themselves in currently. Some of them never will.
I’m praying for Soulja, Reginald, Jane and the dozens, no, hundreds of folks trapped in a life I’m sure they never expected to be living.
I’m so glad Pastor Chis Simmons had the vision of going into what was called the war zone with the love of Christ after he graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary.
That kitchen and the shower/clothing complex next door were his brainchild many moons ago. Now we get to help him help the less fortunate in this world we share.
All in the name of Jesus.
I’ll see you later. Wade
