"Best meal I've ever had at a homeless shelter," said one of our guests last night. I'll admit, Jessie's dinner last night was delicious. I got an early sample yesterday afternoon and wondered into the kitchen last night and snuck a bite of mashed potatoes as well. Jessie and Kathy Hallmark had prepared a wonderful meal and a good number of volunteers helped serve, greet, and provide security for these new friends. We find ourselves at times comparing experiences, declaring something perhaps as best or worst we ever had. It is hard to say something we ate is the best ever, but for the moment, when the taste is savored and the stomach filled, it may seem that what we have just experienced is indeed the best.
A hot meal and a warm and safe place to sleep is a blessing, particularly for those who do not always have access to what most of us simply take for granted. Throughout this week we have welcomed such persons into our building and into our lives, and in doing so, have been reminded of the treasure within every human being created in the image of God. We tend to compare ourselves to others, either feeling inadequate or thinking more highly of ourselves than we should. But this week of hypothermia prevention should serve to remind us that we are all blessings to the One who has made us, and blessings to each other if we take the admonition of scripture seriously to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Maybe Jessie's meal last night was the best ever served in a shelter...or just maybe, the entire experience is a reminder to us all that every person has within him or her self the best of what God created us all to be. That is something we are to share with each other...that is the best that we can do!
Jim Abernathy
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