Act of kindness has changed woman’s life

Refuge Homeless Center makes a difference

 

Editor’s note: Below is an article submitted by Jason Sellards who volunteers with The Refuge Homeless Resource Center in Lapeer. The agency serves all of Lapeer County, and in the winter time clients stay at churches in Almont and Imlay City. The article is written in “first person” style, in Jason’s own words.

 

TRI-CITY AREA — I posted this writing a couple days ago on FB of an experience I’ve been having with a woman resident going on two years now. The response was quite mind-blowing.

I’m writing this post (on Facebook) as a testimonial to the work that The Refuge Homeless Resource Center does, Lapeers only homeless center. This is literally one of the most blessed days I’ve had in a long time.

It’s the summer of 2023 and I’m volunteering there one day. The front door buzzes, as you have to go let the person in.

As I go to the door to see who it is, I see a young lady standing there. I walk up and I can see the look of despair on her face. I can see her super dirty clothes. She says she’s there to see the Director, Andrea Henderson, to try and get into the program.

So I let her in. I remember as she walked by me, I noticed her hair. It was matted, sticking up all over, and it had like little pieces of leaves and sticks in it, as if she had just dropped where she was and went to sleep the night before.

I literally remember thinking this is another beautiful soul, coming in for help…a warrior, willing to BEGIN to just put one foot in front of the other and take her life back. Just give it a chance.

The next week I came in again. As I walked into the day room I couldn’t believe what I saw. There she was, clean clothes, hair done, and the countenance on her face had TOTALLY changed. I was so happy for her!

In a few days I was going to come in and make breakfast for everyone. I asked everyone if scrambled eggs n cheese and biscuits n gravy was going to be ok. They all agreed. Then I’ll never forget this.

This lady looked at me and innocently said, “What’s biscuits and gravy?” I chuckled at first, then I realized she was totally serious!

So, here is the biscuits and gravy morning. I make her a special plate piled high, knowing there was no way she could eat it all.

I put the plate in front of her and stepped away. I was secretly watching her though, because I wanted to see her response to her first bite.

It was everything I had hoped for. She eventually looked at me with eyes the size of golf balls and proclaimed, “THIS…IS…SOOOO GOOOD!”

I remember giving her too much food because I wanted her to see that as long as she keeps putting one foot in front of the other, she will never lack, and she will always have abundance.

She wound up at one point leaving The Refuge, because that is what it’s designed to do. I asked about her all the time though, and always received a good report.

Today. Today. Today! I’m at The Refuge and she walks in. I take one look at her and I get the biggest-gratitude-stomach-punch ever, and of course my eyes water up. I could hardly speak for a second.

That dirty looking young lady that I saw for the first time that day when she came looking for help…now looks like a model! Her outfit is impeccable. Her hair is immaculate! I was totally blown away. It was such a blessing. She was even smiling so big she was showing her pearly-whites.

As I was cooking lunch she came over to me and said that the other day she went to some restaurant and got a biscuits and gravy casserole, and as she ate it, she thought of me.

Now those of us at The Refuge don’t do what we do for our own glory or recognition.

However, when someone tells you that they thought of you because of biscuits and gravy…well…ya just GOTTA pat yourself on the back for that.

And, it’s proof that you don’t need to part the Red Sea to make a difference in someone’s life. All you need to do is show a tiny bit of kindness to them.

Think about the unkindness this lady was shown in her life to NOT know what biscuits and gravy was.

I was outside as she was leaving but she came and hunted me down to say goodbye. We hugged, she smiled, I cried. She drove away.

You just never know what kind of Divine Appointments are coming your way in your life. That meal you buy for a homeless person just might give them the strength, bravery, and courage to come to a place like The Refuge.

If you think you are going to err with helping a homeless person, err on the side of the Divine, and not your own cheeseburger greed.

Thanks to all those who help The Refuge as they rock-n-roll on their mission to help and bless the homeless of Lapeer County.