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Dear Friends of Grace in Action Article
It's Good to be on Your Knees

Dear Friends of Grace in Action,

 

Every once in awhile, one of our guests at Grace House will say or do something that brings what I call, "The Holy" into clear focus. That happened this past week with a homeless guest named, Lisa. I asked her permission to use her name in this story because I wanted to give you a glimpse of her powerful faith.

 

Lisa has faced many struggles in her young life. Well, "many" is a misnomer! What Lisa has endured, would in my opinion, "do in" the rest of us…emotionally, physically and spiritually!  

 

The purpose and "niche" of Grace in Action, is to simply be present to those who struggle on the streets of our community.  Our mission is to offer "food for the body,  food for the soul." Simply put, we offer the love, compassion and mercy of God to those most in need in our community.

 

Lisa, and our other homeless guests,  provide food for my soul every day! The spiritual wealth of our homeless community is a gift to me and our Ministers of Hospitality (volunteers).  We are inspired by the faith, strength and joy of our guests…in spite of how they are treated and shunned by others in the community, or the struggles and burdens they face on a daily basis.

 

Lisa has a few extra burdens right now. She must travel everywhere in her wheelchair. One of her legs has been amputated below the knee. She travels to and from the homeless shelter, to the Grace House, out to the Community Clinic, to meetings and doctors appointments  in Sacramento and now to a church which she loves.

 

The most striking thing about Lisa though, is the light that shines from her beautiful eyes and her winning smile. She literally radiates the light of God. There is a twinkle in her eyes and just a touch of mischief in her smile.

 

I'm writing about Lisa, because It was Lisa's words that brought "The Holy" into clear focus.

 

In order for Lisa to come into the Grace House, she must get out of her wheelchair and crawl up the steps through my office door at the back of the house. Once she is inside, I lift the wheelchair up the steps into the house where she is then able to climb back into the chair. She does all of this because our handicap access ramp is not quite complete. The GOOD NEWS is, we have a city-approved plan, and a dedicated (free labor) "work crew" from the University Covenant Church to help us build our ramp this month! The not so good news is, that we don't have all the funds necessary for the supplies to build the ramp.

 

No matter. We are moving ahead in faith, because we want to offer an accessible place of rest and respite for all of our homeless guests. We fully trust that God will provide for the completion of the ramp.

 

This past week, as the temperatures were climbing outside, I wanted Lisa to come in out of the heat…to lessen her burdens, by providing a place of rest and comfort. And so, we worked together as a team to bring Lisa into the house. I felt remorse that she had to "crawl" into the house. As I lifted her wheelchair up the stairs, I apologized again to her for the challenge involved in her crawling into the house.

 

Lisa said, "That's okay Cindy, don't worry" and then with seven simple words we were on Holy Ground.

 

 "It's Good to be on your knees."

 

She continued, "You see, that's where the Lord wants us."

 

I felt the wealth of her spirit with a force that stopped me. I was, in that moment, in the presence of "The Holy" and all I could do was stand in silent awe. She was my teacher, and mentor. In her simple statement, she became God's spoken truth. Her humility, grace, faith, joy and spiritual wealth overwhelmed me. Surely the presence of the Lord was in that place. Surely the presence of the Lord is at the Grace House.

 

We have a plan and a dream about to unfold at Grace House. I shared that plan with Lisa as she got back into her wheelchair. I showed her the contractor's drawing for our ramp and promised to buy her some balloons and tie them to the back of her wheelchair when she is able to freely enter through the front door. We both laughed with excitement and joy at the thought of her being the FIRST person to come into the Grace House on the day the ramp is complete…balloons and all! Her eyes sparkled and her smile grew even wider as she looked at the plans.

 

Holy Ground…ground breaking…ramp building…volunteers working…contractors giving…Lisa and others waiting… God is in it all!  

 

We would like to invite you to be a part of our dream and plan. If you would like to make a donation for the purchase of ramp supplies estimated at $2,000,  please send your tax deductible donation to Grace in Action POB 4393 Davis , CA 95617 and write "ramp" in the memo portion of your check. Any amount would be greatly appreciated.  

 

We would also like to invite you to join God's ministry of offering food for the body and food for the soul. We welcome your participation in mission through Grace House, to those who struggle with more burdens than any of the rest of us could bare, yet are the most wealthy (in spirit) in our community.

 

Thank you for your prayers, support and partnership in mission together…and please, remember Lisa's words when you are feeling blessed or broken…either way…

 

"It's good to be on your knees."

 

Peace, Cindy

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