This morning, one of our former guests at the Men's shelter came to the office with a smile on his face and some money in his hand. A friend had given him a gift, which he used to "treat" some of his former dorm mates (themselves guests of the Mission) to a hot coffee on this cold morning. The rest, he brought to the Mission.
It's exciting to see the excitement of those who rejoice, not just at the opportunity to give back to the place which gave them so much, but also at the chance to become one of the many who show compassion to men, women, and children in need in Michigan's capital area.
Our volunteer receptionist was impressed by his joy, and she didn't even know the difference from the man who had first arrived at the Mission a year ago and the man who had just given to transform other men, as he himself had been transformed.
It reminded me of Lamentations 3:22-24, and the Lord's mercies, which are new every morning. Even on cold, windy mornings in January. Surely, the "Lord is my portion."
