My heart broke twice today...

[ONE] A man, who most obviously did not have a home, found refuge from the bitter cold at Safeway today. For most the evening he slept hunched over in a chair of the sitting area (side note: this very same sitting area had be occupied by our powerless community for the last few days as they also sought warmth, wifi, & a plug in to charge their phones.) He wasn’t disturbing, or even unsettling any customers, as I could tell. And he had the kindest of eyes, I noticed, while I saw him awake for a time. His situation moved me with concern, certainly, but this man’s situation is not what broke my heart. Rather, it was the reaction of coworkers and supervisors, those that I have grown to care for, that upset me. I caught wind of the plan just in time. Rage’s little sister masked in my diplomatic disposition stopped them twenty feet before they went to awake him and ask him to leave. For “he’s not allowed to be sleeping here.” I urged them to leave him be, and warned them of the exposure dangers he’d be facing if they made him leave. They conceded, thankfully. But there was something in their natural lack of compassion that struck me pained.

Aren’t we all a little like that sometimes? What if he were wearing a business suit, & fell asleep? Would he be asked to leave then? Perhaps, but I’m not sure he would.

To be completely honest, I don’t think I would have given this man much thought. Had it not been for Jesus, I may not have noticed HIM. A person. Jesus had been expressing to me today how much he cared for that man. How important this man was to Him. I needed to know how much Jesus cares for him, or I wouldn’t notice. I need to always be told that, about everyone. My coworkers, customers, those who seem to have it all together, and those who obviously don’t. I’m so thankful He told me that today.

[TWO] As I drove home, I had to slow as I noticed an animal crossing the dark empty road. As I approached, I saw it was a coyote. It was lost, and scared. That also broke my heart.