My sweet Boxer, Sadie, has been limping lately. When resting her leg did not seem to work, I took her to her vet. He prescribed some medication and the caution of no rough play with her rather large Labrador friend, no running, and, basically, no playing at all for Sadie! This has been so very difficult for her. She comes to work and wants to jump and run and have the ladies throw her toys for her. She has heard the word “NO!” over and over again. She brings toys to anyone and everyone who looks like they might play only to be petted and told, “Not today, girl!” Her sweet eyes look so confused. She doesn’t understand why all who have played in the past will not play today. Of course, it is difficult for all of us to have to say, “No,” but we understand that it is all, and only, for her best even though she doesn’t understand any of it! I’m sure she thinks we are all just being unkind and cruel. Sometimes love can look that way.
The life and feelings of those coming to a homeless shelter must be a huge magnification of Sadie’s! Everyone who comes to Shepherd’s Gate has issues–they are limping. Many of our ladies deal with drug and alcohol addictions as they try to make sense of their childhood journeys. Many are so angry with God they say they don’t believe in Him. They go to devotions only because they are required to pick one each day (and going does change lives!!!). Those who still believe in God don’t understand why He has allowed their lives to look as they do. They form incorrect conclusions of God’s feelings for them—He seems distant and unkind. They have come to the wrong conclusions about God’s love for them. Satan has lied to them and told them they are not worthy of a good life; God is paying them back for all of their wrong-doing; God has no clue where they are and/or He probably doesn’t care. And so they come to us to have a bed and food; to tell their story one more time; to be angry; to hide. . .the list goes on and on, but what they don’t come for is what we give them!!
We give them guidelines and roommates and counselors and encouragement and love!! We tell them, “No. Not yet. Wait. You need to get a job. You need to form a budget. You need to save money. You need to begin repaying your debts.” They are wanting us to “throw the toys” and we are telling them, “Not today.” We know those are not the words they want to hear. They don’t understand why we ask these things of them. It seems unkind, unrealistic—cruel. It is difficult to say some of the things we must say to these sweet ladies, but we do so because of our love and concern for them. We know that God knows exactly where they are right now! Our desire is not that they have a place to put their heads for a night or two, but for a life of living independently as they trust God for the next step—a life that will allow them to hold up their heads and be that productive member of society. This can be the outcome when they heed the warnings of “slow down, rest, wait, heal. It’s not quite time to run and play–but soon! Trust God, and we promise you—soon!!”
