Immediate need

I was sitting at home this morning working on some teaching I plan to do over the next few weeks when I heard my cell phone ringing. I answered the phone and was made aware that there was a gentleman in the downtown area that was in need of some help and someone to talk with.

I made my way downtown and met a gentleman that was clearly in need and hungry. All he had was the clothes on his back. I was able to treat him to a meal and spend some time talking with him. We talked about a lot of different things. I asked him about his family and he told me his parents are Christians and go to a local church. Sadly they have nothing to do with him and haven't since he was 16 when the abandoned him. That was 18 years ago. I am saddened again and ask my self how do parents walk away from their children? Beyond that how do Christian parents neglect their children like this. It makes no sense.

We continued talking about things and he shared that he grew up in the church and was baptized as a teen. I asked him if the church has hurt him or encouraged/helped him over the last 18 years. He thought for a brief time and said that the church had hurt him and that they have done almost nothing to help. He even told me of a church that told him he wasn't welcome in their church. Why do churches abandon people, they are not much different than his parents. It is not enough to talk a good game.

Towards the end of our conversation I asked him what his greatest need was at this time. I expected him to say housing, food, clothing or money. His answer was none of those things, he said "I just want to feel loved". Wow, that was powerful.

I was able to pop home and pick up some clothes, blankets, toothbrush and a Bible which he had asked for. I also bought him a gift card for some food. I am not sure how to really meet his greatest need to feel loved. Maybe I did that by letting him talk and by helping out in some small way.

My guess there are lots of people that just want to feel loved.