A homeless man approached Holt and I at Walmart between Thanksgiving and Christmas, 2010. It was cold. The man's name was Michael and we talked for about 10 minutes. I gave him the measley $5.00 that I had in my pocket (I don't carry cash these days) and shared Christ with him. He told us that he lived in a tent behind Wal-Mart with his wife who needed surgery.
Holt and I got into my car and drove away, leaving the homeless, cold man in the parking lot. Holt asked (like this man was a friend of mine), "Who was that?" Where do you begin? Where do you begin to tell your 7 yr old son that there are people who live in the cold with no hope, no food? How do you tell your 7 yr old son that this world is cruel and there are physical needs that go unmet. That there are 7 yr olds all over this world that will die today of starvation?
Idon't have to tell himall of this right now. Christ is allowing Holt to see these things a little at a time...so it can sink in. So that I can simply answer his questions that he asks with no more explanation.
This chance meeting with Michael in the parking lot made a huge impact on my son. The questions have not stopped...they haven't been all at once, but just as the Holy Spirit burdens his little soul. Holt has been sure to pray for Michael and all of the other homeless every night. He is burdened.
I have a chaplain friend on my team at Marketplace Chaplains who runs a homeless tent and food ministry. I talked with Steve at the beginning of February about the possibility of Holt and I helping some time. Steve's wife, Marcia, sent me the information about the next meal. You should have seen Holt's face when I asked if he wanted to go help serve the homeless with me!
I had previously answered a question about how the homeless keep warm in the winter by telling him about their use of coffee cans and candles (which actually do a pretty decent job of heating up a tent). Holt asked if we could go buy some candles and he asked how many we could get with $40 (his Christmas money). This is compassion. There is a difference in feeling sorry for someone and having compassion. Having compassion spurs one to action. Most times having compassion means giving of your resources, mainly time and/or money. Holt has compassion for the homeless.
As soon as we arrived with our candles, Marcia put Holt to work. He was in charge of the dessert table. After he carefully placed all of the cookies on the trays, Steve began introducing Holt to several homeless "regulars" who frequented the meals. I was shocked to see that Holt was in his element. This normally shy little boy was now a strong youth who befriended men less fortunate than he. It was beautiful watching him interact with them and watching these humble men interact with my son. His smile put smiles on the faces of the downtrodden.
At one point, I told Holt to take a plate and eat. I manned the table. I expected him to sit down right behind me and eat. He took his plate and began walking toward a group of folks eating on the ground and then he took a sharp left and went and sat right beside a guy who was by himself. I heard Holt say "Hi, I'm Holt." as he sat down for a chat.
Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:1-2
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