Today …
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| Love One Another |
Today I prayed for Margie. I don’t know Margie’s story. I
met her on the streets of midtown New York City. I had joined a team from the
New York Relief group and we were just walking the streets of NYC looking for
people we could help. Margie came walking toward us. Well really she was
shuffling, she was bent way over as though she carried a heavy load and her
feet and legs could barely move. She is homeless. Her friends on the street call her Speedy but
we found out her real name was Margie. That is how I think of her – Margie.
Today wasn’t the only time I prayed for her. She’s been in my thoughts ever
since I met her so every day I pray for her.
Today though I thought I would share with you my experience.
As the team leader begin to converse with Margie and see how they could help
her. Other team members helped Zan set up an easel, blank canvas, paints and
brushes. Zan does worship painting and the Lord has led her to take it to the
streets of NYC. Zan and I began to add some paint to the canvas and as people came up
we invited them to join in the painting. Some held back and watch, some
eventually came forward and painted.
We waved to the team leader to bring
Margie over to join us. She came but held back saying she wouldn’t be able to
reach the canvas. But we convinced her that she could just paint in one corner.
Margie made her way to the canvas and started. Soon she was
a little straighter and could reach higher. There was a delightful smile on her
face. She was enjoying it. We talked a little as she painted. She’s in her late
60’s, not much younger than me. We talked about abstract painting. There was a
wonderful smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye as she painted next to a
five year old girl who had also been invited to paint.
Another New Yorker, a
stranger to the two painting, stooped to help and encourage the young painter whose
mom and dad were also enjoying the scene and taping their daughter painting on
the streets of NYC. It was an amazing experience I will never forget.
We had to leave Margie to the streets that night because the
shelter bed had been given to another lady one of the other teams had met. So I
pray for Margie, for her needs, for her protection, and in gratitude that I was
able to share a few hours with her.
To learn more about the New York City relief project visit http://www.newyorkcityrelief.org/. To learn more about Zen and her worship paintings which she sells to support
herself and her ministry check out her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/worshippaintingsbyzan/
or her Etsy shop http://www.PaintingsbyZan.etsy.com.
When was the last time you stopped to look in the eyes of a stranger and smile?
Rose
3 comments:
What a wonderful experience to meet someone like this, and what a wonderful group you belong to! I hope Margie is doing all right after not having a shelter in which to sleep.
it is so distressing to see the homeless, we have lots of them here too but they do I think get some finacial help which is a God send. We have been supporting an addict who praise the Lord has come off the drugs and is now in a flat and doing so well going to college and reguarly attending Church. It is now an offence to give them money in the street but we can give them a coffee sandwich etc
such a kind and giving thing to do Rose.....I will think of Margie too. I hope you are feeling well? and taking good care of yourself. The piece you asked about in the image with the button forms isn't my work. It was made for me by the lady who gifted me the buttons.
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