Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

     I don't know about you, but if I were suprised by a huge winter storm where I was trapped at the house for a week or more I would not starve; I wouldn't even get hungry. I may have to eat a lot of quinoa and couscous, but I wouldn't starve. I don't know what it is like to ask for my food to be provided daily. For much of the world, this part of the Lord's prayer means something -- even for people in our own cities.

     The church that meets at Fairfax Church of Christ has a ministry called The Least of These. On Thursday nights they meet downtown, divide up to go to different parts of the city, and hand out food to the homeless. This past Thursday was my first time to join them.

     Just 18 miles from where I live is this building, also known as the United States Capitol. This was about what I could see of the Capitol as I handed Al a baggie with a ham sandwich, apple, bag of chips (sour cream and onion because he doesn't like Doritos), and a cookie (thanks Jay and Ellyn for making up such wonderful bags). Al's home is a bench outside of a Starbucks with a great view. We talked with Al and he told us about losing his keys to his bike lock and how he fixes bikes from March through October. He told us of how he doesn't fix any on credit because then word would get around and he'd never make any money. He armed me with my new favorite quote, "I feel for ya, but I can't reach ya."  (I am so going to use that on my kids at school when they say something is too hard.) We spent a little time with him praying, talking, and joking, stopping only long enough for him to make a business transaction (selling 4 cigarettes for a dollar. That seemed cheap to me). This was my first time meeting Al, but it likely won't be my last. I am looking forward to seeing him again this coming Thursday night.

     I met Gigi, Charles, Henry, and Hank. (Well, I didn't really meet Hank, I saw the top of his head. He was laying on a grate, completely covered in wool blankets, and only peeked out when Sam asked if he was hungry.) The Least of These is known by many of the homeless in D.C. I guess we're the only group that roams D.C. in groups carrying reusable grocery bags on a Thursday night. One guy saw us from a distance and came to us. He asked if we had enough for a few of his friends and took us to a city bus that several homeless were camped out in. (On cold nights, it was in the 20s and windy that night, the city of D.C. opens up buses to help the homeless escape the elements.) When we were on the corner near the shelter there were a lot of people. News traveled fast as we handed out sandwiches, burgers, and socks. We were quickly out of food. I found it interesting that no one took more than two and most only wanted one. No one was upset that we were out of food, just disappointed. Daily bread...when would their next real meal be?
   
     Practical application... Do something. That's right, go and do something. While it's easier to find homeless people in big cities, they are in pretty much every town. Go serve in a shelter, soup kitchen, donate blankets and clothes, go to McDonalds and buy $20 worth of $1 burgers and go hand them out. It doesn't have to be your calling or your ministry. You may only do it every once in a while, but do it, not for them, but for you.


Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.  James 1:27