SREHUP
A few nights ago I was able to visit the homeless shelter that played a huge role in my life during my college years. Throughout the past 4 years I have spent many nights volunteering at the shelter, picking up meals, and organizing volunteers. I have spoken with many men experiencing homelessness and listened to their stories. Going to the shelter was just something I did and no one would be surprised when they asked me to do something and my reply was “sorry, I can’t, I am going to the shelter tonight.” Then graduation came and I was no longer expected to volunteer. I had handed over my role and moved on. At first, this was a relief. No more last minute trips to Philadelphia to cover for someone who could not be at their shift, no more Saturday morning board meetings or sitting in traffic for an hour to get there, no more rushing home after volunteering to write an essay due by midnight. At the time, not having the responsibility of being president of a student-run homeless shelter sounded wonderful...and it was for a while.
Then came November. I knew that the shelter would be opening for the year soon and it felt strange not to be stressed about making sure all logistics were covered. So, I got in touch with the new directors and asked if I could continue to volunteer to which they willingly accepted. I think I always really knew that I would never be done with a place that was so close to my heart.
When I walked in for my first shift of the season it felt like returning home. I was greeted with a face of relief from the security guard who was hoping he would not have to train a new group of volunteers on his own. The men who benefit from our shelter thanked me by name, remembering me from years before. I was filled with the joy that only special places can bring, the joy of familiarity in a place where people know and trust you.
After dinner and some wonderful conversations I drove home with a smile on my face and warmth in my hear. Quite honestly, the homeless shelter makes me happy. It doesn’t seem to make sense that seeing men suffering from living on the streets or hearing their stories of adversity would bring me happiness, but being there is so much more than that. It is realizing the strength of the human person, of faith, and of love. It is being trusted to appreciate someone’s story, even though I could never fully understand. It is lessening someone’s pain, if only for a moment.
So, as I drove home I recognized a sense of happiness that I had not felt in a while and I realized just how much the homeless shelter means to me. It is somewhere where I am counted on and seen as a leader, somewhere I belong.
This year, as Cabrini Missioners, we have chosen to live by the slogan, “does it give you life?” When debating a difficult decision one of my community members will inevitably chime in with, “well, will it give you life?” When you debate choices with this is mind, the answer becomes clear. That inexplicable happiness that I feel after a night of volunteering at the shelter, that is life. It is life reminding me to always take opportunities, because you never know where you may end up. I never thought that a commitment to weekly service would play such a large role in my life, but here I am telling you that it can and it will.
Dear God, thank you for bringing opportunities into my life that will forever change me. Please bless all of the men who benefit from our shelter, as well as all people experiencing homelessness. Open our hearts to giving this holiday season and help us to realize that there is something to be learned in every situation. Amen.