The View Outside the Window

Patience and Kindness.

Perhaps this is one on the most difficult article to write for a volunteer doing any kind of ministry work.  It’s looking back on the year and reflect the good you’ve done but also reflect that sometimes you failed internally on the Christian ideals of patience and kindness.  Oh as a helper you put a good face but inside you’re tired, overwhelmed at the rush of people who need so much and sometimes never express gratitude at what you’re doing.  Then you as a helper feel ashamed that you even had that feeling. You go home tired and worn from the outpouring of the pain of others and your own inabilities to keep seeing them as individuals.

But there are the moments of genuine grace when you see people hurting and even for that moment know that you brought them the Good News that Christ loves them, forgives them and even if I am an imperfect vessel show them they are not forgotten by Him. And for that moment for it is only that moment I have received the grace of doing Gods will and saying yes Lord I’m hear to serve you and do with me what you will. And what were some moments reading the Bible to someone sitting on the sidewalk, going under a bridge and praying for someone, listening to a soldier who wants to return to his faith but doesn’t think he can be forgiven. And it’s the moments of never seeing who I’ve helped when somehow my heart lightens.  It is this great grace that Christ bestows on us when we get past our own weaknesses that we are called to be one with Him and through Him good things can happen.  The gospel stories are lessons and warnings that you might not always get the thanks you seek, the work maybe hard, but the love of Christ is always there for you to use and take. And to go out like sheep amongst the wolves because as imperfect as I am he will use me to his bidding.  I have to be patient and yes kind to all who need a sandwich, a hygiene pack, a blanket and say a small prayer that Christ will never forget you and has already forgiven you.