When I go for a run, it is always at a park near my house. There’s a path that loops the outskirts of the park, and I know how long it is, so it makes my training fairly simple.
I find it interesting to frequent the same running spot because I see a lot of the same people again and again. I feel like I’m getting to know them. There’s a female runner who is training, time to time gaining speed- she’s much, much faster than me. Sometimes there is an older couple out walking, the wife limping with a full leg brace, recovering from an orthopedic type surgery- her gait is improving all the time. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a drug deal or two between two boys on bicycles. Often there’s the daughter-dad pair playing basketball.
And then there’s one particular woman.
She’s been at the park, sitting in her car, every time I have run for the past four weeks. I’m pretty sure she lives in her Ford Focus, the back passenger window opening covered with plastic and duct tape. More than once at dusk, I’ve watched her carry her bag to the bathroom, towards the back of the park. I’m guessing she freshens up there. While I ran today, I tried to conceive a plan where I left her a WalMart gift card taped to the bathroom mirror. But, I’m not sure how to pull that off.
I think of her pretty regularly and wonder how she got into this predicament. Is there anyone to help her? Is she hoping to find a home, not on wheels, soon? I question if I should find a way to help her…
This morning at church we lit the first candle of advent. We sang and rejoiced with songs of a coming Savior. And the light of that candle reminded me of something really important.
All of the heartache and struggles of life are eclipsed by Hope in Christ. No matter what the difficulty is, or disaster or material lack – there is one thing certain that remains: Just as He promised Israel He would come the first time, Jesus has promised to return to us again. And when He does He will redeem every single thing that has gone wrong. Every injustice, every pain, every mistake – all will be made right. When that happens all who believe in Him will be at home with Him for eternity.
This knowledge, this very hope is the answer to my questions about the homeless woman, even though I don’t really know her. I’m hoping I’ll figure out a way to share His love (and some other necessities too) with her, in case she hasn’t heard. And I’m hoping to do it soon, so that she knows, no matter what’s happening here and now, there’s a Rescuer coming! and He’s got the perfect home waiting for her.
From John 14: In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also…
daily portion 