Yesterday, Saturday June 22, 2016, my husband and I served our brother and friend at a very important event for him and the community. We had an awesome time, singing, ministering and sharing. Afterwards, we did what most folk in my culture do after church--- eat. Yelp, we ate. But it wasn't a sit down dinner with fine dining and foods we couldn't pronounce. It was outside in the hot sun. As my husband and I stood in line to place our order, a young lady walked over and asked this questions; "Is this food free?" the response was, "no, it's not free." She says, "are you all Christians?" the response was, "no, we're Jehovah's witnesses." and then there was a question about what was in the bag...(not a spirit or a coke may I add)... her response..."I'm not a Christian and I need what's in this bag." Silence.... She then says, "I'm homeless and really hungry, do you have any extra you can give away?" I touched my husband quietly on the leg, he knew what that meant... "I'll take care of you, we'll pay for it." was my husband's response. She was very thankful, saying..."I'll stand right here and mingle while you fix my dinner... does it have to be cooked, is it ready...what can I get..wings, hot dogs and fries... " Yes, you can get what you want..." my husband says. She placed her order, wings and fries. She stepped away from the window and began to mingle..
I stepped back and saw her standing alone. So I walked over and began to have a conversation with her. I first asked her what was her name... "Hello, how are you, my name is Lisa, what is your name?" Hey ma'am, my name is "Louise", (not her real name) please to meet you ma'am." We smiled and began to talk. "You are really pretty Ms. Lisa." Thank you Ms. Louise and so are you", I said. "Are those dimples real?" she asked. I laughed and said, "why yes they are mine and they are real."
As we talked and laughed she began to straighten herself up, as she was feeling a little embarrassed because I was all dressed up and she wasn't. She let me know that her boyfriend is abusive and calls her fat and ugly and when she doesn't do what he wants he puts her out on the streets. She has to do things she doesn't want to do just to have a place to lay her head. Her kids don't love her anymore and is all alone in this world. I let her know that she wasn't alone, that God had her, even on the streets. She said "Yes I know He is taking care of me because I'm still here." I said, "Yes, dear you are still here."
I let her know that she was beautiful and her blue eye shadow was beautiful on her beautiful complexion. As I listened to her story, I let her know, that if not for the grace of God there goes I...She said, "Ms. Lisa, have you been in church all your life?" "Yes, Ms. Louise, I have, but I haven't always done right all my life.".... she said, "No Way, not you. You are so pretty and your clothes are so pretty." I just smiled, and whispered in her ear... "one day I'll have to tell you my story".. she smiled, laughed and gave me that Okay Gurl Look.... lol.
She shared with me about her sunburn; which was really bad as she spend most of her days outside walking in the hot sun....I gave her the lotion Dermasil, out of my purse. You would have thought I had given her a bottle of expensive perfume.
Our food was then ready for pick-up.
"Ms. Lisa, can you get me some extra napkins as I will need them to go to the bathroom".. I said "sure, I'll get you some extra napkins..".. "oh yell, and some water"...she yelled. "NO problem...I responded.
Before we departed, I prayed with her and gave her a hug... told her to be careful and that Jesus Loves her... she says... "Thank you Ms. Lisa....you don't look like me." I said to her... "Ms. Louise, we're more alike than we are different... she walked off into the sunset..
When the mask if off, we all look alike, just different struggles...if not for the Grace of God.
Remember to Smile Everyday, Show Up Everyday and Succeed Everyday
Find Peace Within,
Be blessed,
Ms. Lisa
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Thank you,
Ms. Lisa