I met some of Jesus’ favorite people today. The broken. The forgotten. The poor. The needy. Society’s outcasts. Left on the streets to try and figure out how to survive for one more day.
Abby and I went to downtown Phoenix today to help feed and clothe the homeless. Driving up, tears welled in my eyes and a lump stuck in my throat. It was like we had travelled to another planet. There were droves of people wandering the streets with all their belongings on their backs. We pulled to the side of the road and were swarmed with hungry faces looking for food and clothing.
Always the people person, Abby jumped out of the car and began introducing herself to each person, offering a hug and an ear. It was obvious that she was in her element. It didn’t matter to her that these people probably could not remember the last time they had bathed or brushed their teeth, if they had any. Some had open, bleeding wounds from fighting in the streets. She hugged each and every one, learning their names and taking pictures of them so that she could pray for them later. They were drawn to her and she had them all smiling and laughing. It was absolutely amazing to watch. I had never seen her in this situation, and yet she was completely at home with the homeless. It was beautiful.
She was a picture of Jesus to me today. Smiling and laughing with people who probably do not do that on a daily basis. Hugging the unhuggable. Praying for those who have lost hope. Feeding the hungry. Touching the untouchabe. Finding beauty in the broken, scarred, tattered faces that came to her. Offering friendship to the friendless.
Today was evidence that you don’t have to have teeth to smile. We saw very few teeth today, but plenty of smiles. All because a girl chose to let Jesus shine through her to some of his very favorite people. And I can’t help but grin 🙂
