Cold

Snow falls and wind blows and I have a heated, 2-storey house with a warm bed to go home to when all this is over and my toes are cold.

My toes were cold. Like how lame is that?

On Saturday night, I had the awesome opportunity to volunteer at our local Coldest Night of the Year event. 

Attempting to take selfies [keyword - attempting;)]

Standing outside in the not-really-that-cold -2°C, directing walkers in the right direction, I felt a little chilly. Plus, I had an artsy cardboard sign (to fit the theme of homelessness) with an encouraging message on it to hold up, and I was getting a few stares from cars driving by and what if that sign read "homeless & hungry." instead of "thank you for walking today!"?

I thought, How broken must this feel for real? Holding up a sign to random strangers hoping for some response - that would be my last resort. 

Then on Sunday, our youth group went on a Sandwich Run, handing out bagged lunches to homeless folks downtown. 

And yes, my toes and face and fingers were getting a little chilly and I was complaining a little but what?

I mean, really? Me, with my three pairs of dry socks under warm winter boots, a hat, a scarf, mitts, and a winter jacket? The girl who'll be accepted into a Tim Hortons to warm up before she drives in the heated car back to the big, warm house?

Am I even allowed to complain about cold? 

Warming up at Timmies after the Sandwich Run.
photo creds: @thebosscurt

And then while walking with the girls, some guys holler in this sketchy part of town and we feel not-so-safe but what about the girl kinda like us but she's alone and with nowhere to go?

If 8 of us in a solid group with a safe place to go feel unsafe, then what do we classify her feeling under? 

And no matter what one's reasons are for living on the street, it's not fair that they have to feel cold, humiliated and/or unsafe. 

It's just really not fair to the girl who has to sell herself or the man who feels a bit more broken each time one more person walks or drives by without a second glance. 

And so all we can do is spread a little hope. Buy a coffee, hand out a lunch bag or run in a speedo so someone will give you $1000 for a homeless shelter (true story - but not me! :P). 

And we just pray that somehow His hope somehow shines through in our foolish attempts to make a difference.