All it takes is a cold spell and a little snow to remind us of how blessed we are. My house was cozy, I had plenty of warm clothes and nutritious food and most of my family got two unexpected days off from work.
But going into work last Thursday morning was a stark reminder of how so many in our community need Faith Mission and Faith Refuge.
Our day room and lobby were packed with people bundled up in whatever they had. The floors were covered in melting snow and ice. Our staff had already jumped into action getting warm and dry clothing and making room for more.
As I looked around, I noticed that I didn’t recognize everyone. Some were just here for the warmth and cover. I wondered where they had been before. Some had been on the streets while others had heard that we were a warming station. Every story was different from the next. All I knew was they were desperate, and no one wanted to go back out.
I’m glad we could be there during a crisis. I’m glad God has given us the resources to share. But what breaks my heart is that we are here for so much more. Our desire is to help them to overcome the barriers that keep them from becoming self-sufficient and able to provide for themselves. Our goal is to help them help themselves. But so often, they are in and out before we get a chance.
I’m telling you this because I or I should say, we at Wichita Falls Faith Mission need your prayers. We need wisdom and discernment in communicating this message to our homeless neighbors. I’ll tell you what I pray for. That God would give us supernatural favor with folks so they would avail themselves to opportunities for stretching their old thinking and improving their circumstances.
I understand that sometimes we are in the life-saving business, like last Thursday, but ultimately, we want to be in the life transformation business. That’s my prayer.
