The Key Word is "Through"

One psalm...two arms. That was the opening for our conversation. She was so young, barely 20 perhaps. Shaved head, several body piercings, she appeared hard as nails. The tattoo spread across her arms. Her eyes were red...weary...sad. She said little, clenched her throat and fists. I could almost hear her internal self command, "don't cry, don't cry, don't cry...be tough, be tough, be tough!" That was the image I think she was trying to portray...an image of being tough, strong, invincible. As a spiritual director I am trained to notice not only what is spoken, but that which is un-spoken. She was hurting but wouldn't give herself permission to be vulnerable. I'd seen it too many times...not only in other homeless guests, but in my self.

Today the tattoos on her arm were the focal point. One arm...23...the other arm...Psalm.

Her heart was obviously heavy as she entered the Grace House. Her soul mate, travel companion and life connection, was dying. Her dog (appropriately named Jedi)....was very, very sick. Some people believe that homeless individuals shouldn't have pets. Yes, life is hard for the animals outside, but it's harder for those who have made a connection with a pet, and can't or won't let go. These pets are more than animals ...they are "family." Today, this barely 20 year old was on the edge of losing a member of her family.

Often, at Grace in Action, we ask God and ourselves, "How can we help in this situation?" "What do we DO for her?" Is it even possible? And then we remember. Jesus raised the dead. Our God is STILL a God of miracles. Anything is possible with God!

The dog was not the only one at death's door. This 20 year old was obviously feeling life-less.

I looked carefully into her eyes then said, "Tell me about your tattoo." Her response was slow in coming, cautious and tough. "It's my favorite Psalm." In that moment, I knew this 20 something child had already been praying for a miracle.

We called several veterinarians. The one we usually call was on a mission trip of her own, so we were calling as many others as we could. With each phone call and refusal (due to lack of funds) our hope began to dwindle. I was beginning to think, looking at this emaciated and lifeless dog, that all hope was lost. Then, one of our guests suggested that we actually GO to the Vet school. He said, "If you call, they will turn you down, just GO there, and see what happens." It was our only hope at that point, so Cathy, one of our compassionate volunteers, took both Jedi and our young guest to the vet school. When they arrived, they were told, "If you can get a vet to give us a diagnosis, we will treat the dog." Grace in Action paid for the diagnosis and God's miracle of healing evolved before our eyes!

Over the next few days, careful (care-FULL) vet students nursed Jedi back to health. He was in need of serious antibiotics and supervision by trained personnel. I received daily calls from the vet student supervisor who updated me on Jedi's status. The vet school worked compassionately with us to help facilitate communication to his owner as to when he could be visited.

Our God, is an economical God. He doesn't limit healing to just one, but sends forth his healing touch through the crowd, offering love, compassion and wholeness to all who will receive. As Jedi began to heal, our young guest transformed. The next time she came into the Grace House, she came in with a smile and a sparkle in her eyes, she talked more freely and...she laughed. Hope had been reborn! She too, had been raised from the dead. Her favorite Psalm had become a "lived experience."

I have a new appreciation and different perspective on what it means when scripture refers to Christ raising the dead. I believe these scripture references are also referring to those who have given up hope and don't want to try anymore.

The dead of the world are not limited to physical death. Sadly, we have many in our world who are spiritually dead. These too, need to be raised. The spiritually dead are those who turn away from the needs of others, who refuse to help without receiving compensation, or simply believe it's someone else's responsibility to show compassion and care for the suffering.

Raising the dead is something we can "all" do if we open our eyes and take a step of faith to believe in the miracle that our God still cares and that we are all healers in one way or another. The dead of our world might be someone who is depressed and feeling hopeless in life, the dead can be a marriage in trouble, the dead can be a child ignored, the dead can be someone facing a challenging illness, the dead can be a city or national government mired in the law and ignorant of grace.

And the dead can be a homeless child of 20 who rides freight trains to run away from a hurting heart.

Yes, Jesus raised the dead. And He said, "You shall do even greater things"...but how many of us have really dared to believe that miracles of healing and freedom and joy and hope or even societal change are still possible?

Psalm 23. You're probably familiar with it. The most remembered phrase, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..."

God IS with us and he is still a God of healing and miracles.

She gave us a picture of Jedi and hinted that she would be finding another freight train soon. But before she left, we talked about that hurting heart she's trying to outrun that travels with her...and we talked about the God who will never abandon her...the God of her favorite Psalm. I told her I thought the key word in Psalm 23...was "through." I reminded her that none of us have to stay in the valley of the shadow of death, because we walk "through" it with Him. "No matter how hard life is for you," I said, "remember that you're never alone and when you get tired of traveling...you let Him know and He will give you rest in green pastures and beside still waters...or at the very least, a rest from riding those freight trains and outrunning that hurting heart of yours."

The unique niche that Grace in Action holds in the homeless community, is to hold the homeless in the shelter of God's hope and love.

We listen, we care and through simple acts of mercy, love, compassion and service at the Grace House we remind our homeless guests of the rest of this child's favorite Psalm..."Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

To this child who walked through the valley of the shadow of death, and to all who find rest or serve there, that's what the Grace House is..."the house of the Lord."

Peace, Cindy