Remember

With winter around the corner, I thought about someone I met one afternoon during The Mustard Seed’s coffee drop in. Her name is Lena. Lena is often seen at The Mustard Seed wearing her signature pink scarf with matching pink lipstick. She’s always smiling and always gracious for everything she receives at The Mustard Seed. Yet, one snowy, cold afternoon I was driving home and there was Lena – that kind soul – walking outside thinly dressed - no sweater, no coat. She was wearing summer shoes too admist that snowy weather. Tears welled up in my eyes. No one should have to be outside in the winter cold. No one should have to be alone either. But, sometimes, people do not have everything we seem to take for granted.

It’s because of people like Lena that The Mustard Seed strives to provide what it can – basic needs in the form of meals, clothing and personal items - and now housing and employment. I am very pleased that The Mustard Seed is expanding into the latter of these two areas. Often a meal is the first step to a changed life. Housing and employment takes people like Lena beyond that first step so that they don’t have to be outside when it’s -30. And, although saying that sounds a bit harsh, it’s true.

If you are ever having a bad day, please remember what you have. There are people like Lena who even smile when they have much less than we do, even when they face the harsh, cold winter. And, please, keep them in your prayers and do what you can to help us help them. Hope can only grow with the support of people like you.