Monday, December 7, 2009

Takes One To Know One

Remember that guy I am married to? You know, the one that has been less than pleased with The List and me doing it? The one that told me I am crazy and I will probably get mugged or worse? The one that refused to have anything to do with this whole stinking mess? Well, he has come over to the dark side.

Sunday, as the girls and I packed twenty-nine lunches to hand out to the homeless, Bob wandered in and out of the kitchen, not saying much but definitely watching. Amy and I were talking through the details and trying to figure out the best way to get the babies to their aunt's house so we could make it downtown and back in time for church. Nothing seemed to be working out as far as timing in regards to the kids. That’s when Amy looked at Bob and said, “Why don’t we just load the kids in your truck and you can follow behind us as we make the deliveries? Then we can all head to church together afterwards.”

When I heard Amy say those words to Bob, I turned to look at his face, knowing how strongly he felt about the entire thing. I knew he would never agree to go. Imagine my complete shock when I heard him say, “Yeah, ok. I can do that.” As Bob loaded the kids into their car seats, I grabbed Amy by the arm and told her we had just seen a miracle. I would have never believed my husband would go with us, not even following behind in another truck.

Once downtown, we spotted our first homeless man, sitting up against a dumpy little building. He looked cold, tired and very old, although I doubt he was even fifty. As I pulled up along the curb, Bob close behind with the kids, Amy leaned out the window and offered the man lunch. He slowly stood and walked over to the car. Taking the bag from Amy’s hand he simply said, “Thank You and God Bless You.” This scene would be played out twenty-eight more times, with each person accepting a lunch, then thanking and blessing us. It was quite humbling to say the least.

When we were down to the last five bags, we saw a group of five men with as many dogs, standing on one of the corners. I drove over to them and Amy offered the last lunches, which they quickly accepted. We had also brought small bags of dog food and offered those as well. I did not expect the response we got. One of the men, obviously the “owner” of the dogs, was absolutely teary-eyed that we had food for his pets. He took the bags from me and hugged them tightly to his chest as if he had received some great and valuable gift. My heart stuck in my throat as I felt the tears well up in my eyes.

Finished with the lunches, we drove a few blocks over to the City Rescue Mission, where we were dropping off jackets, jeans and sweaters. As I pulled into an empty space in the parking lot, Bob pulled in beside me. Jumping out of my car, I ran over to Bob’s truck to let him know I would only be a minute. As I opened his truck door, I was stunned to see my husband crying behind the wheel. I have never loved him more than at that moment.

Later that evening, as Bob and I talked and cried over the days events, I asked him two questions; Did he still think I was crazy and would he be willing to do this again sometime? He answered without hesitation,

“Yeah, I still think you're crazy but I also want our family to feed the homeless twice a month. That’s church, Marla.”

Yep, takes one to know one!


The greatest man I know holding our youngest grandson.



The infamous lunches



Hope


We realized later, bananas might have been a better choice, considering the lack of teeth we saw. Sorry Homeless People. We'll know better next time.  :-)

18 comments:

Sandra Wilkes said...

How wonderful you are...and I know you are not looking for accolades. Your husband is amazing. How wonderful that he "came around" as they say. Keep up the good work.

Parsley said...

What a touching post.Being the Lord's servant is a humbling event sometimes. Thank you for being open to help those that many would ignore.

We like to practice random acts of kindness too. This gives me more ideas!! Thanks!

If you scroll down some of my old posts Dec. 3 and in Mid-November (gift giving) you'll see our fun ways of sharing.

Love your blog. I'm following now. And thanks for following mine. Hooray for blogging buddies!

Andrea said...

Wow. I'm speechless. And that doesn't happen often. :-) Love ya.

Oklahoma Granny said...

I have tears in my eyes. What a wonderful post! God bless you for the work you are doing in His name.

Sarah said...

yes, all of the above and you got to give your hubby more credit. he did the pregnant woman and son thing with you, didn't he? god bless you and your family!

Monkey Man said...

What a great story. Good for you and Bob. Great service work.

Lillian Robinson said...

I'm happy dancing for you! Can't wait to see what your hubby does next...

My hubby was talking to the director of a homeless church/kitchen about our fresh corn-on-the-cob when she pointed out that a lot of their guests have no teeth, or at least not good teeth. So yeah, bananas would be a better choice.

I hope that those reading your blog will be inspired to do some simple act to show God's love to those in need.

Marla said...

JP ~ I am about as wonderful as a tick on a hound but you are absolutely right about my husband. :-)

Parsley ~ Can't wait to read your lists. Thanks for following!

Andrea ~ I know what you mean. Speechless and Casas do not connect. Love you too, cousin!

Ok Granny ~ Isn't God good? :-)

Sarah ~ You are so right. Bob deserves more credit than anyone can imagine.

Monkey Man ~ My favorite part is that it's a story still being written. Must be the writer in me. :-)

Lily ~ Yes!! That's it, that others would see that simple acts, even when done by weirdos, can make a difference. By the way, you are a lovely dancer. ;-)

Molly said...

That is awesome! I wish I could've been there with you guys! For those of you who don't know me, I am the other daughter-in-law, and you need to know that this lady is the real deal! Perfect? No. Genuine? More than anyone else I know! As for my father-in-law, well, he's wonderful as you can all see! I am such a blessed woman to have them in my life. They have taught me more about the Lord, love, marriage, and serving Christ from just watching the way they live and love and serve than they could possibly realize. They are amazing teachers! I am so blessed to be counted among their own! Just thought you all should know! I love you, Nona!

Marla said...

Molly Beth Hansen ~ I love you!!!

Jana Banana said...

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

As we have discussed before, we are generally more blessed than those that we are helping. I love you Marla and all the things that you think are faults are what endear you to my heart day by day by day. I know the real you and keepin it real is the only way to go! Love ya bunches! May to Lord continue to bless your endeavors and keep you safe in the process!
Love ya bunches!
Jana

Sandy said...

Lovely story, he first perhaps went to protect you; to see how it all panned out.

My friend who feeds the homeless every2wks has similar stories to tell. She knows where many live (under bridges) and in back area's won't the police haven't bothered them and delivers to them there. Her hubby went once; but doesn't join her in her delivers. He does support her efforts, just says it's not for him.

We all can help in some way, it's up to each of us to find that way and do what we can.

What are in your lunches? I'm still looking for your budget list to read; but need to get to work.

Curious to know why you named your blog as you did. Truthfully I doubt I would have stopped to read it, had Lily not suggested it.

Sandy

Bel said...

Well mom, that was awesome, not because of what we did but of how many hearts its affecting now! I am always learning and inspired by you and dad and my whole family for that matter because I can see how Gods hand is in our lives and he's just getting started! I'm excited for what Gods doing now and will be revealing! I'm am so blessed to have parents that have a kingdom focused mentality and can still be human. In the sense that your humble and realize we have to live w/the recognition of Gods grace in our own lives everyday as His spirit works in us stretching our faith and drawing us deeper daily!

Marla said...

Jana, Jana, Jana ~ I love you so much my dearest friend. I need to write you a long note or call you maybe. Are you ready to hear the latest?

Sandy ~ I posted pictures of the lunches content but we will need to do some revising as you will see. As for budget, we haven't really worked one out. We just ran with it, at this point anyway. Butts and Ashes came about from caregiving. If you read my very first post it explains the whole name thing. So glad you stopped by. Thanks!!

Marla said...

Bel ~ Yes, He is just getting started!

Auntie Cake said...

So sweet to feed the homeless from lunches you made. And even thinking of the dog food. I think my sisters and I will have to try that one!
Kate

Amarja said...

The only thing I can say Marla is that I love Bob and you soooo much! Reading this blog made me cry also. I miss you and want to hear your voice and hug you!

Marla said...

Kate ~ Let me know if you and your sisters try it. I'd love to hear about your experience.

Amarja ~ I seem to have a great knack for making people cry. It's a gift. lol