GRACE restored

Today was blessed with such a rich experience I really cannot find the words to describe it. This morning when I woke up I prayed and invited God to be a part of my day and I asked Him to please just bless me with guidance and put me where I needed to be, to deliver me into the hands of the homeless with His sweet loving spirit present so I would feel protected and as I went about my day I knew I couldn't just show up empty handed so I cooked a huge pot of Goulash and buttered two loaves of french bread and warmed it in the oven and off I went without a soul knowing where I was going. I didn't know where I was going. I went to the usual homeless hangout at a park across town and it didn't feel right so I let God have the wheel and before long I was parked in front of the city library. I sat in my car for a minute and then I gathered my offerings and approached a man who was eyeing my food. I asked him if he was hungry and he said, "Yes, ma'am" and from that moment on I was in the presence of the most gracious appreciation I have ever known...His name was Donald and he had only one arm and asked me to help him open his bottled water...we conversed and I told him I was surprised there weren't more people out that I could share my food with and that's when he pointed to a little park adjacent to the library and told me they were all over there...so over there I went. There were about fifteen homeless people gathered in their little cliques. I introduced myself and went around shaking all of their hands asking them if they were hungry. There were a few gentlemen passed out on the grass so I didn't get to officially meet them until some time later. I served them and had originally intended to eat my dinner with them, but when I saw there might not be enough food I decided to wait...after all I've had a meal today. I wish I could remember all their names....There was Tami, Robert, Amanda, Lori, Jim, Earl, Rita....and now the mind is whirling...but all their faces are etched into my heart. I heard countless stories...each one precious and I was amazed at how they look out for each other. I heard stories about how they were treated by the police and public in general, about where they sleep, about their families, their travels....they couldn't share enough and the blessings were just pouring down as they continued telling me their stories and concerns. Earl is from Tennessee just trying to get back home, Tami wanted to save her food for her husband (he was one of the gentlemen passed out), she told me he had pneumonia but couldn't get his prescriptions filled...Lori french braided Tami's hair and I commented that I thought it was beautiful so she offered to french braid my hair and of course I accepted...we didn't have a hair elastic so she put her Nascar cloth bracelet in my hair to keep it tight....it turned out perfect. They had many questions for me as well and were very surprised I wasn't there through a church but on my own free will...none of them asked me for money, but they did give me some pointers if I ever needed a good spot to get some. If I would have had money with me I would have given it all to them.....gladly. As it began to get dark I thought I should get on home as they all needed to scatter about to find their individual safe nests for the night. They surrounded me, thanked me, some hugged me, but all of them made me feel comfortable even the guys that finally "woke up" from their naps. I'm leaving out so many details and stories that could be shared here but I think this post is quite lengthy and so they might have to spill out on another day...but just know that we have an amazing God and He has favored the poor with His grace...I can't wait to get back and feel it again. Set your inhibitions aside and trust that we are meant to love one another...and oh, how eyes sparkle when we do!