Their Eyes
Carol Condon
www.carolcondon.com
The news
spread so quickly. The grills were lit. Bags of ice unleashed surrounding the
mounds of bottled water. Tents were erected and tables lined up for the food
that had been lovingly prepared. The stage was built and the portable sound
system was patiently waiting for the music that would soon be broadcasted for
many blocks around. There wasn’t a sign announcing free food. It was not
needed. Soon the aroma of grilled hamburgers and hotdogs was floating up and
down the streets adjacent to the shelter. This coupled with the music pounding
from the speakers began to draw all of those without a home to us.
Over 200
hundred people began to line up and take a plate. The heat was not nearly as
noticeable now that the smell of food had overtaken their senses. As the music
filled the air and the food gathered on their plate smiles began to replace the
blank stare that had just moments before occupied their face.
My heart
became heavier by the moment. How could so many hurting people be so close to
us yet so far away? It was as I place sliced tomatoes onto their plates that
the first person looked directly into my eyes and said ever so quietly, “Thank
you so much for doing this.” As my eyes connected with theirs I was startled by
what I saw. Their eyes held so many stories. I kept telling my mind to quit
thinking of what those stories could be, but I was unsuccessful. My heart tore
a little with each glance into their eyes.
The block
party was now in full swing. With their hunger pangs taken care of, the music
began to entertain them and draw them all close to the stage preparing their
hearts for the short message that was given offering them the best treat of the
night, Jesus.
Lives
were forever changed; however, it was not just the hearts of those without a
home, but mine as well. It wasn’t their clothes or their lack of clothes that
stayed with me. It was their eyes and what they spoke to me that stayed with
me.
How often
are we so consumed with our daily “to-dos” that we miss those that are so very
close by? They will forever be with us. Their eyes speak volumes. Are we listening?
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore
I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to
thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
Deuteronomy 5:11
