On a cold winter’s night, I met some very special people. The record breaking cold reminded the city of Charlotte how unprepared it was to provide warming stations for the homeless. A local Pastor, Charles Robinson, rallied different individuals and groups who are active in their communities to come together and be a City Set On A Hill. In a warm building our neighbors were given food, blankets, and a safe, loving environment. Some volunteers drove around until early morning, bringing the homeless in from the freezing cold. Other volunteers were waiting to great them and get them what they needed.
There are as many reasons for a person finding themselves homeless as there are individuals. Their stories are tragic, and so many seem to be without hope. The stories of some of the volunteers I met are also very varied and tragic. Victims of domestic violence, personal experiences with homelessness… But somehow there was a spark of hope, a light, that guided these volunteers out of the tragedy, and into victory. Perhaps they showed up at a shelter and someone was there to care about them, to look them in the eyes and acknowledge their value. And these now are a light and a hope for others.
The morale of my story is simply this- we all have a story, and if we are Christ’s we have a HISstory. These amazing women blessed me with their humility, strength and compassion as they shared what God had done in their lives. I see them passing the light on to others, who will in turn do the same. The experience has changed me for the better.
