I’m volunteering at Valley Mission once a week. I wish I could say I was doing it simply because I was compelled to keep living what I love to preach. But, I’m not. Two of my classes require that I have a combined total of 38 hours of community service. (Considering that number represented (less than) a week last year, it seemed like it would be a breeze. That is, until I realized I needed to factor in classes, homework, work, family life, friends, sleep and eating (oh yeah…I forgot about that again). Anyway, this is not a blog about my schedule.) Still, I am so thankful that God led me to the Mission. Although the environment and the staff’s expectations of me are very different, it has been so refreshing to be in the presence of people who can’t afford to do anything but be authentic. In many cases, their individuality is all they have left.
I already have stories to tell of the beautiful people I have met. Maybe I’ll tell some of those later. But, on to Beverly.
I met Beverly about a month ago at Starbucks while I was furiously making pumpkin spice lattes. She came in and everyone working with me greeted her really enthusiastically. I realized pretty quickly that she was a really special customer. It didn’t take me much longer to figure out why. Every day that she comes in, she enters with a wide smile, an exuberant greeting, and an obvious care for each of us. Her laugh brightens up my day and if only every customer would receive their drink (hers being a quad venti soy with whip pumpkin spice latte) with such joy…
It just so happens that Beverly is the Executive Director of Valley Mission. On Friday, she sat down with me at the desk for a few minutes and shared with me a tiny fragment of her story. Twenty years ago, Beverly lived at the Mission with her family. Now, she is well known in the social service community and is making a huge difference in the world around her.
She says she has a bad habit -- stopping her car whenever she sees a homeless person and asking them to come with her to the Mission. (I told her that I didn’t think it was a bad habit.) A few days ago, she was on her way to work and she saw a man on the side of the street holding a sign, asking for money. Slightly annoyed, she told God, “Well, alright, Lord. But let me get my coffee first.” She pulled in to Starbucks, ordered her drink, and the barista refused to let her pay. She had $10 in her wallet and, having gotten a $5 drink for free, she thanked God for giving her an extra $5 to give to the man.
Give and it will be given...
Now, I know there are a lot of arguments against giving money directly to the homeless. I’m not going to go into all of that. But, as she was telling me the story, my first thought was -- “awesome. God took care of her. She can give the guy five bucks and keep five.” But, no…she gave it all to him. The thought of keeping the money didn’t even enter her mind.
Lord, grant me a willing and generous heart.
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