our Bible study group under the awning at Austin Street Shelter today
One of the best parts about working with the homeless is that there are NO BOXES! Even if you try to have boxes, they get busted wide open! In the rest of my life, it seems everyone's got boxes for everything. Life is scheduled, meeting's are timed, and you get a million emails a day. Is it just me, or are we generally a culture that likes for people to draw straight lines and keep their arms in the car?
Several people who have come down with me have noted that it's a little hard for them because our time down there is so free flowing.
For instance, when we got outside with the coffee cart this morning for our Bible study, we soon encountered a torrential downpour. So I ran over to Austin Street Shelter, and they let us have Bible study under their awning (thanks Austin Street!), but it was raining SO LOUDLY that we had to yell to hear each other. Makes me laugh thinking about it ... it's really refreshing to be in situations like this—to know that the free-flowing, no-box way is the only way that works with the homeless.
That's Joe!
The needs of the homeless change sometimes by the hour, and so we have to just be there, with them, in the moment, ready to listen and try to help as best we can.
We had a few dry minutes this afternoon, and during that time my friend Joe came up in a funny rain outfit. We laughed about it together, and I asked him if we could take a picture I would share.
He said yes! The only problem was, when he opened the rain suit (?!?), his t-shirt said "Spurs" on it, so I had to block it out. You're welcome, Dallas!
I hope you also have some time to leave the boxes of your life. If you ever need some free-flowing time, you can always come hang out with us!
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