It seems as though when I am feeling all snuggly and comfy, coffee in hand, maybe a good book on my lap, that is the time something speaks loudly to me – at the times I least expect it.
Having been married to a firefighter for many years, there is always a police/fire scanner making noise at my house. Most of the time I tune it out, but there are those times when I hear something that drops me to my knees. This story is sad but oh, so true. It began as a routine call for the Medic to report to a location for a possible broken hand. One hears things like that all the time, so I didn’t really pay a whole lot of attention to it until I heard the paramedic call for an officer to that location. He stated that this person was faking a broken hand because he had no where to go. My heart broke; it was late and cold. A hopeful ride to the hospital to get out of the cold was his desperate plea. My mind was spinning as I looked around me sitting all comfy, cozy, my Christmas tree all lit up, and yes, sipping my nice warm coffee. I suddenly felt sick, guilty, sad, wealthy, and thankful – all at the same time. We talk about the homeless, we bring food and blankets, coats and clothes to shelters, but we don’t usually actually see them, we only hear about them. We know they are out there, but if we don’t know who they are or actually see them – the men, women, children, and families, we help meaningfully, but in a somewhat detached way. This man became very real to me at that moment. But what happened next was the beautiful part of this story.
The officer arrived on the scene and all was quiet for a while. After several minutes, I heard the officer call in to the dispatcher and say he would be out of service for a bit, as he was taking this gentleman to get something warm to drink and get him out of the cold for a little bit. That officer was an angel at that moment.
This event has lingered on my mind all week long. I have wondered what happened to that man, where he ended staying for the night. Was he warm, and was he fed? I have remembered him in my prayers as well as all those who are without a home and/or family this winter. As we prepare for our own Christmas festivities with our families and friends, let us remember those who are going without all the wonderful pleasures we share and how at times, we overindulge ourselves in those pleasures.
May the true meaning of Christmas come to each of us in our own special way this year. May we never forget to give thanks for the things we have and share our abundance with those who are so in need. Christmas cheer is so much sweeter when we give the gift of ourselves.
May God, who gave to us the ultimate gift of His Son, bless each and every one of us in a very special way this Christmas Season.
