Whatnot

Last night was a powerful time of worship with the guys. We had a time where we offered for the guys to open up a Bible to the Psalms, sing, or simply reflect. Most of the guys opened Bibles and began reading- between verses and songs we offered for guys to stand and read from the Psalms. What a powerful experience. Several guys who live at the Mission stood and read Psalms. A musician picked a few of his favorites, generally referring to praising God with instruments and song. A man burdened by his most recent relapse stood and shared Psalms regarding affliction and sorrow. Others shared as well.

We offered a time for the last reading. A man sitting right in front of me raised his hand. He was wearing red coveralls with white stripes and a heavy "poofy" coat with a hood. His brown boots were worn and dirty. Behind his chair sat a fold-up "shopping cart" full of various trappings all securely wrapped in plastic grocery bags. He stood and as he opened his mouth, I couldn’t help but notice he was missing a lot of teeth. Really you could only see four or five of his bottom teeth - dark and stained. He was a good reader, though his speech was a bit strained (because of his teeth?). The man in the red snow suit stood and read these words:

(Psalm 23)
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

I later learned that this man’s name was William. William has no home. No family to take him in. In fact, he isn’t even staying at the Rescue Mission where I work. There’s likely a reason for that. He stays in a more dangerous shelter. He said he hadn’t eaten in 3 days. And yet he said with conviction and with a great measure of peace, "The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not be in want."