Lean on Me

When I was 17, my life changed. I went with my high school youth group to serve at the Bowery Mission in New York City. At the time, I lived in one of the most affluent communities in NJ, if not the nation. The Bowery Mission was founded in 1879, in the neighborhood where Gangs of New York was set. The neighborhood is still rough and tumble. The Bowery has provided food and shelter to those in need since it opened its red doors. 

I thought I was into serving others, since I heard Band Aid's Do They Know it's Christmas in 1984. I had attended protests at the university of Utah against apartheid. I bought the Sun City EP. I knew all about it, or so I thought.

Our group of 10 were there to serve lunch and dinner, as well as visit with the guests. It was my first time serving in a soup kitchen, although it would be far from the last. 

As time has marched on, I have included my husband-and now our son-in these endeavors. 

For my birthday this past year, instead of a party, we celebrated by serving at the Banquet, the soup kitchen in Sioux Falls. 

The day I went to the Bowery Mission, I got to visit with the guests. One man in particular sought me out. He was an older, African American man. His clothes were dirty, he was missing teeth and carrying all his worldly goods. We attempted to make small talk, but we were speaking different languages. I was a 17 year old, living amidst affluence, and he was at least 40 years older than me, pushing a shopping cart around the streets of New York. 

After the animals on display at the zoo attempt at conversation, I turned to leave. He stopped me, and asked me to pray with him. I was a little reluctant to, despite being there from church. I did, however. I stumbled over my words, not fully prepared to do something so simple. I had no problem praying alone, but praying with someone else was completely different. It was so intimate. I don't remember what was said, but at the end, I remember looking up at him and something clicked for me. It was as if I was looking at the face of Christ. The Gospel came alive in that instant.

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:35-38, 40 NIV

Following that moment of prayer, I changed. I realized that these people I was serving were just that-people. They were no different from me-they breathed the same air, their hearts beat and pumped blood. They had dreams, wants and desires too. They were people, despite the obvious differences. We are all living the Gospel, and leaning on each other.