Nadine

"Inspired by visit to Fruit of the Vine Homeless Ministry"

We met in the cold,
dark,
breezy night.
In the dark,
no light in sight.
I could see her frame,
barely outlined,
till I drew closer and I could see the pain in her eyes.
As she smelled of cedar, propane and outdoors.
Words spoken softly in the shadows,
we exchanged names,
and as I listened to her speak,
the cold breeze wrapping around her body,
I saw a glimpse of what could be.
I could be Nadine.
She stands in the bumpy road,
waiting for food and a little propane,
just to get her through the next couple of days.
Would she know where her next meal would come from?
She stands alone,
or so she thinks,
isn't God with her?
Does not God love the poor,
and those without shelter,
without food,
without warmth.
I know that He does.
There we stand all bundled up,
passing out food,
saying things like "God is with you, you are not alone."
But how would I feel if I had to walk even one mile Nadine's shoes?
Sleeping in the woods,
living in the chilly cold and cruel outdoors.
Could I give up my Starbucks,
my designer dress slacks,
all the luxuries I have to extend a helping hand,
to someone that God loves,
whose name is etched in His heart,
written on the palm of the Creator's hand,
someone that matters,
someone who is hurting,
that someone is Nadine.
Do I cry for her?
My heart aches for her,
and all I take for granted.
She tells me about her life,
and I listen under the stars.
I have never seen them so bright,
God is real,
He is here.
This is no ordinary night.
I am in tune to deep brown eyes,
saturated with pain,
disappointment,
and all those broken dreams.
I listen in the night,
and for the first time in my life,
I can feel my heart completely break,
shatter and fall into pieces,
not for me,
but for Nadine.
I don't want to leave her here.
I look around I see men,
women,
and even a child standing in the middle of the road.
Four years old,
in a spring jacket,
not meant for the cold,
no gloves,
no hat,
and her tiny smile electrifies me,
and saddens me even more.
They are all looking for a meal,
because normally they are living in the shadows.,
do we even see them.
No different than you or me,
This is just one stop on our journey,
five more camps to visit tonight.
As we leave,
their frames disappearing into the darkness,
I say this is not enough.
Not enough blankets,
not enough food,
not enough love,
not enough to fill the void in their hearts.
Trade places with me,
let me be in your place,
my heart aches for Nadine,
my heart bleeds without rest.
I am not doing enough,
not enough to show God's unfailing love.
What more can we sacrifice,
for our dear friend Nadine?
So think of Nadine,
when you want to dismiss,
all the beautiful things God has given you,
especially a warm home,
and a safe place to rest.
Somewhere tonight,
Nadine will crawl into a ball on a used blanket,
and wonder "Where will my next meal come from"?
"Is there anyone thinking of me"?
"Is there anyone concerned with my safety"?
Somewhere tonight someone will curl up to a bottle of old 'Jack',
to keep warm.
Somewhere tonight,
someone will lie awake hungry from all the pain inside,
emotional,
spiritual,
and physical.
So I leave you with one thought,
be grateful for what you have,
you never know when it might be lost.


written by Erin Lamb
March 5th 2006

"Prayers and blessings go out to the FOTV, and those without shelter or food all around the world. You don't have to leave the country to find the poorest of the poor. They are right in your own backyard."