Feeding sheep

John 21:17- Jesus said to Peter, "If you love me, you will feed my sheep"

Caleb, Emilie, and I went downtown to help serve food to the homeless with a program sponsored by a local chruch, the Potter's House. Every Tuesday night they bring a truckload of food down and set up 'shop' in between 2 parking lots. Tables with food are lined up in a row and the men make their way down after hearing a short sermon. We were in charge of handing out the bottled drinks and Caleb was such a great helper! Emilie on the other hand was more occupied with the cake lined up on the table next to us :)

Caleb is usually my insightful child but tonight Emilie surprised me several times. About halfway through the night Emilie asked me where all the girls were (All of our customers were men). For whatever reason, I was completely caught off guard that she picked up on this. I wasn't sure how to explain to her the statistics on the number of homeless men vs women... so I simply told her the girls might have gone to another place to get food. She told me she thought the girls were all sitting in restaurants having their dinners.

Above: Josh came down after work and stayed to fellowship with the men at the shelter.

The kids were bummed they didn't get to have a piece of cake or any of the hot chocolate that was served so I took them to Starbucks afterwards to warm up and relax. Once we got our desserts and hot chocolates, we sat down to talk about the evening.

J: Do you guys know why we helped serve food to the people in the parking lot tonight?

E: Because they were poor.

J: They are not just poor- but they have nowhere to sleep. Do you know where they will be sleeping tonight?

C: Alot of them will go to a shelter.

J: That's right. And you know how cold it was out tonight?

C: No Mom- it was FREEZING!

J: (laughing) Yes- it was freezing tonight. Well do you know many of the men we spoke to tonight will be sleeping outside in the freezing cold on the sidewalks? (Emilie's face completely crumpled up in a horrified look at this comment)

E: Where do they take showers and baths?

J: Many of them don't. But sometimes they may be able to get a shower at the YMCA or a shelter.

C: That's why they smell, Emilie. Although Iceman (a gentleman we spoke to while serving food) only smelled like 10% dirty but he smelled 90% clean.... so he must've had a bath not too long ago.

I can't help but smile at their perspective of the evening. All in all I was pleasantly surprised at how much they took away from spending time with the homeless. This evening is just another example of how I don't have all the answers for Caleb and Emilie and I'm coming to accept that. I've realized I just have to keep praying for them... pray that they will keep their hearts open to those in need and always seek truth through God's word.

After our discussion the kids grabbed some books from the book corner and sat back to read and enjoy their late night snack. They each went to their own table..... which was so weird. I felt like I was at Starbucks with a couple of 20 year-olds... not my babies!