Bless + Love People

Tonight, I was humbled.

There were two major rules; do not give people money and have significant conversation. Three groups of four left to bless the Portland community with a budget to spend on needs for others. Whether this be handing out bags of food to a homeless man, or buying hot chocolate for someone who was eating alone at Starbucks, our mission today was to show people that they are loved. We prayed, asking the Holy Spirit to guide us to where ever we needed to be. Taylor, Lindsay, Josh and I started out by going to Fred Meyers off of 82^nd to see if anyone needed groceries. After being turned down by a family, we left the store and went across the street to the Value Village. Again, not having any luck, we left the store. We walked out into the rain, wondering what we were doing. We had money in our pocket for people to be blessed with, but there was no one that was needing, or sometimes wanting, it.  We walked out saying, “God, we are in the right place, but we are finding nothing.” As we started to walk down 82^nd towards the bus stop, we see a woman standing next to grocery basket full of cans and glass bottles. This was it; she was who we needed to see.

We approached her explaining that we wanted to help her with whatever she needed. Whether it is clothes, food, or shelter, we would provide it. Soon we learned that she was mostly deaf and her boyfriend of 12 years was inside. He was physically disabled. He came out and we explained what we were doing. They asked, “Are you serious?” We were absolutely serious. We made our way to the Fred Meyer across the street to buy them groceries, a meal, a gift card for future use, and a hotel room. Walking over to the store, the man says, “A lot of people don’t like the homeless, but we haven’t always been this way.” While Taylor and I were inside shopping with the couple, Josh and Lindsay stayed in front of Fred Meyer with the cart full of bottles. The first thing the man said as he stepped a foot into the store was, “Honey, we are sleeping inside tonight!” This would be the first time in years they had slept inside of some kind shelter. They were grateful with tears.

Over time, we heard their story of how they became homeless and their life struggles. The man’s son was in a car accident about a year ago and died, suffering from a two week coma. He told us that he dreams of his son every night. He and his girlfriend had been together for 12 years, and are trying to live there life being grateful for every moment. They took advantage of nothing. They also knew love. He told his partner to get whatever she needed; he only needed her to be healthy. He turned to Taylor and me and said, “I used to be able to do this for her, and someday I will be able to again. All I can tell you guys is thank you, and I hope to do this for someone else in the future.” After we shopped, Taylor and I drove them to their hotel, while Josh and Lindsay pushed their shopping cart of bottles about half of a mile to where they were staying. Before we left, the couple wanted to pray for us. The six of us held hands and came together through God’s grace.

            Tonight, instead of stressing out about homework and worrying about how much sleep I will get, I will stop; no matter what my stress is, someone may be grateful for it. I share this with you so that you can catch a glimpse of this humbling moment. All I can say is that God is so good.