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“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.”
Psalm 28:7
Today is a shivering cold day in Maryland – 4 degrees this morning with snow on the ground. Beautiful, but cold. We have been having a snowy winter snap in our region, and I, for one, am in grateful mode; feeling blessed to have shelter and a roof over my head, food, warm clothing, and dependable transportation, especially in inclement weather. For me, it is not a small fete to have any these things, but how often do we take our basic comforts, for granted? Whenever it’s raining or snowing or sleeting, I always think of and have empathy for the hundreds of people–many homeless–that I have counseled, and prayed with and for over the years, who live or have lived outside in every kind of weather. I am still in awe of how they endure the unthinkable challenges they live each day, especially one man. Here is a story about some of Wilie’s Great Adventures:
Homeless Living in the Woods
Willie is a homeless man I knew well who lived in the woods outside in all sorts of weather in our small town (we will call him “Willie” here to respectfully protect his anonymity). Of all the people I have ever known, this beloved man stands out for all he taught me over the years. He had a bright smile that lit up the room at the soup kitchen, and a positive, kind word for everyone. He was always looking after, and advocating for, his homeless friends. And everyone loved him. Willie was kind and longsuffering for sure, but his attitude and faith were exemplary. He consistently credited Jesus for all his many blessings. It is noteworthy that Willie didn’t live in community with others in the woods. He had no tent, as he was migratory. That is, he went wherever the Lord took him and seemed content in every circumstance, like the Apostle Paul, Willie was quite the evangelist.
Willie’s Tennessee Vacation
Oftentimes, the local police repeatedly arrested him and sent him back to the local detention center for misdemeanors like loitering on the town park benches or trespassing, he would tell the officers: “Are you really sure you want to do this? I serve The Master, Jesus! He’s with me right now.” They would arrest him, hassle him a bit, then let him go. They once even gave him a one way ticket to the destination of his choice. He chose Tennessee. When he got there, he promptly panhandled and got the money to hop a bus to return, telling us he had a nice vacation in Tennessee.” As a Chaplain working with the homeless and those in most need in our community, I am acutely aware of the hardships people face and experience when they live in poverty trying to make ends meet, live pay check to paycheck, in their car or outside in the woods, but Willie was really special.
Willie endured every sort of torment—homelessness, incarceration, hunger, deprivation, rain and snow, extreme heat and cold weather; but he never complained. Instead he consistently depended on Jesus, Whom he knew and trusted with all his heart. Though Willie eventually met an untimely death in 2022, he was well-known and loved for his caring, kindness, faith-filled attitude, strength in weakness, and fortitude. That was his legacy. Not surprisingly, when we celebrated his life at his memorial service, the hall was packed to capacity—with family, friends, local dignitaries and even the local police.
So how do you handle the challenges you face, the storms you encounter in your life? Are you like Willie, depending on and trusting Jesus to help you through whatever befalls you? Not only did he cope with adversity by doing so, he also helped the homeless and others grow in their faith in Jesus, including me. Willie chose optimism, trust, and faith in Jesus over fear, in the face of unspeakable hardships. His legendary Christian faith still shines and lives on through those of us who knew him best.
© Copyright 2024 | Adele M. Gill
Bio
Adele M. Gill is a retired RN, Chaplain, freelance writer, award winning author of 6 books, founder and author of The Inspiration Café Blog, https://theinspirationcafeblog.net/ and a recipient of the Positive Change Podcast Award
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