My friend “Lois” stopped me in the lobby of our shelter.
I call her “Lois” out of respect for her anonymity, and also because she reminds me of our mom who passed just a year ago. Big hearted and kind, a love for her dogs and about the friendliest person you’ll ever meet.
“Lois” befriended me in my early days at Churches United, which while my start was only seven weeks ago feels like a lot longer given the intense period we’ve experienced.
She would often sit in the chairs in our lobby area, the first place people would see anyone coming in through the front doors. And when she discovered I was the new incoming pastor to head the 37-year-old, faith-based shelter and food pantry operation, she was thrilled to make my acquaintance.
She oozed gratitude for having a safe place to live, even if it was in an emergency shelter.
Nearly every day, “Lois” would catch me either coming or going from my office to other parts of the shelter, and she would cheerily greet me, always with a warm smile.
Not long into my time as the interim CEO, I then met “Lois’” two small dogs, which indeed made me think of our mother even more, as she too also had a dog late in life who was her best friend and companion.
I’ve come to appreciate the short visits with “Lois” as bright spots in days that, quite frankly, can be very long. … Sometimes 12 or more hours a day, for six or seven days a week, trying to find the funding we need to pay off our debts and to keep our shelter operating beyond December of this year.
She greets me brightly every time with, “Hello, Pastor!” … And I respond with, “Hello, my friend!” … And then she gives me an update as to how she is doing.
It’s quickly grown into a tradition that I love.
This was the same story again on Friday, when late in the afternoon, after a long day of compiling reports and making funding pleas, I again met her in the lobby, where she was keeping watch, along with her trusty, four-legged assistants.
As I walked through the lobby, “Lois” greeted me with the usual: “Hello, Pastor!” … And I, of course, replied with my usual, “Hello, my friend!”
But on this day, the conversation took an unexpected turn.
“Guess what!” she went on to say. “I’m moving!”
Caught by surprise, I asked, “Moving where?”
“To the high rise,” she beamed with the most beautiful and genuine smile I’ve ever seen. “We’re going to have our own place, Pastor!”
As the joy radiated out from “Lois” and enveloped me, I bent down to scratch her two assistant watch guards, who readily took to the attention. “Well, I said, I hope these guys are going with you?” I asked.
“Of course, and they are going to be so happy!” she exclaimed. “Now that I’ll have a place of my own, with some extra room, I won’t need to keep my suitcases on the bed. And they’ll be able to sleep at my feet, where they’re happy!”
Her joy was infectious, and I pleaded, “Well, my friend, I hope this doesn’t mean you won’t come back to visit us!”
“Oh no, Pastor, I’ll be back, maybe a couple of days a week,” Lois said. “I’ll be here to come eat, and to see all of my friends, including you!”
My first seven weeks at Churches United have been fraught with challenge after challenge. Some days the obstacles in front of us seem insurmountable, and can leave one’s spirit waning.
But then there are moments such as this soul-filling exchange with “Lois” that reminds me what we are fighting for. Each day that our team shows up, we fight to ensure that the guests staying with us at Churches United, or who utilize our community center or food pantry to feed their hunger, are seen.
The very act of being in our shelter can be dehumanizing, as it’s a pretty spartan place. We provide the basics … food, a room, bathrooms, running water and 24/7 electricity. Not much else, other than the fact that our team treats each of our guests with respect and dignity, and we help them feel seen.
“Lois’” moving to a permanent apartment complex in town is one of the best outcomes for our guests. And not all of our guests’ stories bring this much joy to my heart, as not all of the stories end this positively.
But on this Friday afternoon, after a long and challenging week, my friend “Lois” was overjoyed at her new development. And that joy has carried me through the weekend, and given me the spirit to go into another week with the wind in my sails and confidence in my heart.
My friend “Lois” is moving out of our shelter and into her own apartment with her two furry-footed friends. Thank heavens for miracles!
Now let’s tackle this week! Amen!
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