Real dignity

           For a number of months now our men's small group from church has been serving at an area PADS shelter. As we have gotten into the "rhythm" of that serving opportunity and have come to know most of the clients I have noticed several things that really stick out about the homeless situation in general.

• almost to the person, the clients are grateful
• almost to the person, despite their circumstances, their demeanor is actually quite upbeat and I've not seen one that doesn't smile.
• to me, this is surreal--these people are staying in a homeless shelter each night, and many are not employed--and yet they smile.
• some folks who serve, seem to be doing it so that they can "feel good" about themselves.
• most of the folks who serve are extremely humble and gracious folks who show genuine concern for the clients and their plight.
• some of the clients there will, more than likely, always be homeless.  They accept it as a way of life, and they are comfortable with that.
• other clients there are there because of circumstances beyond their control.  Others are there because they just plain screwed up bad and ended up finding themselves out on the street.
• And then, there are some clients there who, unfortunately, don't dance to the same tune as everyone else, and never will, and they have fallen through the cracks of the mental health system which in and of itself is in terrible shape in our state.
• There are no boundaries on the homeless in our shelter;  some are quite old, some are infirm, some are very young, some are single, and some are there as families.
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           Some of us guys were talking this over recently, and the conversation itself was humbling.  Each of us has moaned and groaned at times about some of our dreams, hopes, and plans that went south on us.  And we agreed that when we individually roll in the muck of our lost dreams, blown opportunities, vanished hopes, and plans gone haywire that we are prone not to be very cheerful people at all to be around. 

           It has been humbling, and a teaching experience to serve others whose whole lives have blown up in their faces--and yet they maintain dignity and often genuine humor.  In essence, it's an opportunity to really take away something from those much less fortunate than any of us.  And, it serves to remind us all of Jesus's teaching about caring for "the least of these."  Frankly, Mother Teresa nailed it when she said of the poor, "each of these is Jesus in disguise."

 Bottom Line Thought:  Are you among those who are too smug in their own comfort or won't take the time to step out to help "the least of these?"  Is it beneath your dignity to do so?  Here's a hint--if you want to see some REAL dignity, work at a shelter sometimes.