Here I am sitting at my desk reading emails and thinking of the Veterans that I get to connect with. I’m working on planning the next few weeks and seeing how they will move ahead. Doing nothing special in my mind.
Today one of the outreach volunteers came upstairs and delivered a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a few chocolates to simply say thank you for all I/we (yes others in the office received a surprise gift as well) do behind the scenes. Really? I am completely blown away!
This amazing act of kindness really touched me. This one small (huge in my mind) act on behalf of a couple of ladies, literally brightened up my day.
I couldn’t help but think of those that our outreach teams encounter each evening on the streets, those that come to the door on Tuesdays and the Veterans that I have the honour of connecting with each day/week.
By now you’re likely wondering where I’m going with this. It’s very simple.
One little act makes a huge impact on someone else. When we pass out a sandwich or a juice, what is the impact we are having for that person who is hungry or thirsty? To those that do it, it seems like such a small gesture. For the one receiving, the impact can make the day feel so much brighter.
Jesus talks in Matthew 25:35-40 about taking care of those less fortunate. “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Think about that for a moment. Every sandwich that is made, donated to OIM to be passed along to someone less fortunate, we are doing it for Jesus. WOW! Yes, I know you are likely like myself and have heard that multiple times previously. But really take a second and think about it.
OIM gives out sandwiches every night. So you can’t actually walk the route with those that go out for various reasons, but yet you are. The sandwiches you made and donated to OIM are feeding more and more each month. You say making sandwiches really isn’t doing that much? I beg to differ. For that person sitting on the stoop of a closed store, you are a lifeline to being valued and cared for.
I could go on and on but I know you understand what I’m saying.
So let me ask you this … What small gesture will you make to ensure that person who is feeling alone, deep in despair, and totally not worthy come to the realization that they are valued, and they are indeed worthy?
~Elizabeth – IVOS Support
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