He's My Brother

Yeah, I know Neil isn't the original artist...I even like the Hollies...alot. I'm a Neil freak from way back and after all it's Trav's fault. Tee hee hee!

Many of you know that once a month I visit our local homeless shelter with a meal prepared by our church. I've become somewhat "known" there. When I bounce in I get smiles...usually. The director and most of the staff as well as the volunteers visit with me. My heart aches for the people who are living there. It's usually filled to capacity of 35-40 people....kids too.

So nearly 2 years ago I decided that our church would make a meal monthly. I was ready to give it up a couple months ago. I had actually turned it over to someone else. I thought I was too busy. I thought I had lost the desire. I thought I had "had enough". How selfish of me. The couple I "turned it over to" decided not to do it. Back on my shoulders. Ugh. Bad attitude.

The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So on we go
His welfare is my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother


If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with gladness
And love for one another

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share
And the load doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

He's my brother
He ain't heavy, He's my brother

So this past Saturday night I called my pastor and told him I was getting overloaded. I was tired of the scurrying around to get my sign-up food sheet filled and feeling that people were avoiding me because they just were too busy. You know..tired of this-tired of that. On Sunday morning he delivered the most amazing sermon about stretching to serve...getting out of your comfort zone. Let me tell you...I had people come to me and we filled that list so quickly. People realized that they were getting lax in helping. It was great. My faith was restored.

I got to the shelter and visited a lot and ate a little for nearly 2 hours. This is a part of me. I can't give it up. The director claims that we are one of the few churches that stay and visit. It's easy to get food for a shelter. Try getting companionship, compassion and a true interest. I flash back to the verse: "So on we go-his welfare is my concern." It is! I do care. Then I flash to a more important verse: Matt 25:40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

If you have a homeless shelter or a food pantry, soup kitchen....anything like this in your area please help. Stretch beyond your comfort zone and just do it. They need your help in oh so many ways. "The road is long-with many a winding turn." How do you know that you're next turn doesn't leave you homeless?

He ain't heavy, he's my brother.

Hugs, Happiness and Harmony,
Julie