To see...truly see...

I

I'm suppose to help her.

She is homeless...separated from her family...spending her nights in the shelter and her days at the library. Her belongings limited to a couple of bags. The library is warm and she can use the computers there to find potential living situations, maybe a job. Her meals are sporadic. Yet, she sits in the shoppe and animatedly talks with us, sharing bits and snippets of her life. Not an easy life. She eagerly tries on some new jeans as she has lost a great deal of weight in the last six months. As she feels more comfortable she helps herself to a cookie and tries on some jewelry. Her beautiful, long hair shines in the sun through our old windows.  Our antiquated shoppe doesn't seem so shabby with such good company. 

She came to us because Julie* (one of our volunteers) started a conversation with her that ended up in a hug and the promise of some new clothes and fellowship. 

I am suppose to help her...but she helped me today.
My life is FILLED with blessings and she is one of them. 


*name changed

KEEP OUT

So gated communities are set up to keep those we do not want IN...OUT...

And, do the gates keep out all the... "bad guys?" The "riff raff?" The "evil doers?"

I am too quick to draw lines.

I am too quick to judge based on appearance or circumstance.

The people that have blessed me the most are those that I have grown to know through unusual circumstances. Oftentimes uncomfortable circumstances...out of my "comfort zone" due to my complete ignorance.

I do not want to close the gate to learning and growing and loving new people.

Open the gates.