I'll Do the Blankets!

For the first time ever our entire family signed up to help at our church's Homeless Dinner. This was out of my comfort zone, but Brad and I want to teach our children to help those that can't fight for themselves and have compassion on others around them, so we all went. I had Alynna in the baby carrier all three hours, which was great. Brad watched over the ever-active Nathan. I followed Kaeley around. There were a lot more volunteers than homeless, so you really had to actively look for ways to serve. Kaeley was so itching to help that I had to walk around the church and just jump into a job on her behalf.
So, we all helped carry bags of coats and blankets from one side of the church to the other. Then we, along with several other people, organized all of the items into categories and sizes. Kaeley had a great time taking everything out and giving them to the right people. Many people had donated blankets with designs probably from the 80's, and she thought they were all beautiful! After that she helped plate plates with food before they were brought out to our guests. Then there wasn't a darn thing we could do until after dinner when I pointed out the dirty dishes. Kaeley threw herself into the role of "trash girl" and helped clear the tables.
Before the dinner was over we went back to the coat drive where a man was explaining how there would be a person stationed at each size and category to help navigate the homeless guests around and give them what they wanted. Right as he asked if there were any questions Kaeley marched up to the front of the group, raised her hand, and loudly asked, "Can I be in charge of the blankets?"
So, Kaeley helped with the blankets as best she could. I was so proud of her! I couldn't believe the boldness in which she operated that night!
Brad didn't feel like he did much since he was constantly chasing Nathan around, but that was a service in itself. Maybe next year I'll take over that position.
The evening was not good for Kaeley, but it was a jump off the cliff of fear for me. I'm not usually comfortable around the homeless. I don't know what to do. When I see them on the street I consider myself to have done the right thing when I smile and then look back down at the street when I pass. Now that I've done the dinner I look forward to seeing a person in need and buying them some food or bringing them a coat from home. It was a great icebreaker.
We all came back to our warm house that night, turned on our Christmas lights, crawled under our blankets, and counted our blessings. May we be good stewards of what God has blessed us with.