It's Friday...a day that I always look forward to for a number of reasons. I am a little tired today though because I've had a sick hound since Wednesday morning and when she's miserable, we're all miserable. I'm waiting for the Vet to call to see if they can squeeze her in today. I think she might be having a reaction to the Rimadyl medication she is taking for her joints, hopefully it's nothing too serious. When she looks at me with her sad brown eyes I feel so sorry for her!
Yes, I am going to go feed my new found friends this evening (I'm having a little difficulty referring to them as homeless, or those people anymore). Last week when I went one of the ladies asked for spaghetti so spaghetti it is. She's a sweetheart. She received some food from a food pantry somewhere and in her box of goodies there was a box of cereal. She handed it to me and I must have looked at her funny...she said, "Go ahead and take it, I've saved it for you all week." I told her I could never take her food, she should keep it and eat it. She said she never gets milk and doesn't like it dry and it would mean a lot to her if I accepted it. So I put it in the bag of things I brought with me and thanked her. She said she wanted me to take her shopping when she got her food stamps so she could buy meat and I could take it home with me to use for when I cook for them. I told her I just couldn't do that. Now I'm wondering if it is important to some of them that they feel they have contributed something. I'll have to let this idea bounce around a bit, I just don't know if I could do that. What do you think? One thing is for certain, I'm going to have to get their bottles of water under ice early today, because it's going to be a hot one!
I so appreciate the kind comments you all leave me, I wish I could give you each a big hug...your friendship means so very much.
Have a safe and fun-filled Labor Day weekend!
Have a safe and fun-filled Labor Day weekend!
12 comments:
I hope Lacey love will be o.k. she's such a sweet thing... you know your new found friend, the one that wants to buy meat so you can cook it, I'm sure she's wanting to feel like shes contributed to something, they probley think that socity thinks they dont contribute to anything, and in all reality they truley do contribute to all of us if we would just open our hearts, after all they are God's children, someones sister, mother, brother father. and what a great week end to do this...Labor day week end, you go and Labor your LOVE all over this town. I think its wonderful what your doing. LOVE YA BUNCHES Nettie
I believe you'll know in your heart what to do should the lady bring up the subject again.
Sure hope your dog is going to be okay.
The idea of weaving the participation of your Friend's contributions into the Gifts that you give to Her and her compatriots, seems (to me) to allow her to participate more fully in the even-greater Gifts of Relating and Oneness. You will then have given the even-greater gift of Friendship. And she will enjoy, more fully, the blessing of being a Participant (which she can know as she sees her 'Fish and Loaf' being multiplied amongst the Others) as well as a Recipient of your Grace. (I do hope that I managed to somehow express this image in a sensible form ... I sometimes speak too abstractedly when motivated by emotion [which you so beautifully stir.]) [smile]
I love You (Ya know)
I am sure that the spaghetti will be a big hit! Your new friend is showing generosity in return. How sweet! Please accept it with open arms.
I do hope that your pooch gets to feeling better.
You've got such a big heart Miz Joni! I think it is so wonderful that this lady who has so little wishes to share what she has with you. Perhaps you could talk with her and let her help you serve or something so she would feel that she was contributing.
Oh I am sooo glad to hear you ventured out again to your new found friends. I just so admire what you are doing and wish like anything that I could be there to do this with you. Did you bring french bread with you today to go with the spaghetti? Do you take more than just the main dish? I really do not know how you do it and to do it all by yourself. Again, I truly admire the example you are setting for me, and the love you are showing these people that often times are hard to love because of "our" judegements. You are such a blessing to this world and I KNOW your crown will have an extra jewel in it my friend. (not that you are looking for one, I just know it will be a nice big jewel!)
You never know when allowing someone to contribute can be a step toward change for them. I would accept it and keep alert for ways to subtly return the favor. When you serve the meal, let people know she had a part in it.
Joni, I'm sitting here Saturday morning with my coffee...and I'm reading your post... I've been sort of away from visiting everyone due to some stuff in my world, so today finds me sort of 'catching up'...and as I read what you are doing for your 'friends'...the homeless...I am in total admiration of you. You are doing what, I would guess, 90% of people would never do. To reach out to those who are so in need of love, comfort and a good meal...to share and give of yourself in such an intimate, open way (as oppossed to just writing a check for charity, say) speaks volumes of who you are. An angel among the crowd. Dear lady, you are an angel...and I found myself learning a lesson about life by reading about your journey. May God bless you, Joni...and all that is in your world. Thank you for helping out my fellow man.
Hi there again Joni..good on you. And thanks for your visit. (to me, as well as your new friends). I wondered if perhaps you could show her the UHT milk..is that what they call it there...that doesn't need to be refrigerated.
Here in my home town, and also in New York, there are people who have banded together to do this sort of thing. I used to go help make sandwiches..on a large scale, and in fact in JO's church in NY they have a big organised program with a food pantry in the basement where people can go "shopping" with their food stamps. They also participate in a roster of churches who open their basements for people to sleep the nights! In Washington one year we went, I saw there was a phone number to call if you saw a homeless person, and they would be picked up and cared for somewhere..I think the churches also had a roster there too...a bit far back for me to remember the specific details!
Sorry to be soo long winded, May God be with all, you as you serve these new friends, Annie
Lacey seems to be feeling better after taking her medication and eating her "special diet"....
Lisa, I always take a main dish, a simple side dish (like cut up fruit), bread, and cold bottled water. They aren't very picky!
I forgot to mention I know how happy you are to have Erik home and sharing in your goodness towards others...and I'm happy Lacey is feeling better!
Two kids off to college and you are filling your empty nest in a way God would want you to. More big hugs coming your way!!
That is a wonderful thought. I can imagine that it is important for your friends to feel that they can contribute to what you do. They don't have a means of cooking and keeping meat fresh.
I wonder if there is a store close by where you and your friend can walk to together if she would like to purchase meat for your meals?
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