Bitten

315 South has really had an impact. When I say this, I immediately am tempted to specualte that it is having an impact on the 40-60 people who are getting a break from the cold for. By welcoming them in from elements, we are 'being' the church to them, right? Surely that is making an impact...

I have no idea frankly. Frankly, I am not sure if it isn't felt to a greater extent by those of us who have a home to come to. Today I met a frequent guest--Dan (not his name)--who asked if we might have a word.

He asked me if I wouldn't mind having a quick prayer with him. I agreed--awkwardly because not many people I have known for a long time ask me to pray with them--it's too intimate, or embarassing or something. And here is this man who is on his way in for the night for some soup and coffee asking me to pray. Anyway, he asked me if we could have a word of prayer for his operation tomorrow.

Uh, what operation I asked? He asked if we could pray for his ability to walk without pain after they removed his toes.

He explained that he had been frostbitten so many times and for so many years--this winter finally did his toes in. He said he was grateful that he was not in any real danger, but he said, he would miss his toes.

When he said that, I immediately thought of my sons toes. How much fun we have counting them. How much joy I have when he points at them and says, TOE! How much I love holding them when I give him his bottle.

I told Dan I would miss his toes too. And we prayed...