In St. Louis City there are over 2,000 homeless (not counting the “hidden homeless”) which has nearly doubled in five years. Also nearly 20% of residents and 30% of children are consider food insecure. I have been volunteering at a food pantry that serves these populations, and the people are not just numbers, they have names and faces. As I have gotten to know some of them, I find myself praying for them and all those who are sleeping outside, especially on cold nights like we have had recently (with temperatures down around 17F / -8C).
As I was praying to know that they could feel the warmth and comfort of God’s loving presence, I was reminded of an experience I had during the pandemic.
I’m a hugger. And one day I was really struggling and feeling alone and just needed a hug. I reached out to God with my whole heart and prayed to know that I could feel the presence of God’s love right there with me. In that moment, (this may sound crazy) but I actually felt as though these giant arms wrapped around me from behind and just held me there. The feeling was palpable, tangible. It filled me up so full, I never felt that need again in that same way.
There is an amazing story about Anna Penner, a German Mennonite, who felt the tangible presence of an angel that kept her warm,dry and safe while walking home one night during a winter storm in German occupied Yugoslavia during WWII, as told to Helen Grace Lescheid. It’s an incredible story, and I pray that everyone out in the cold (or in a war) can have this experience.
So as I work to bring food and a warm place for folks to go… my prayer is also that each one can tangibly feel the warmth, comfort and safety of God’s love right where they are tucked up, even if they don’t currently have a bed or a place to get out of the cold.
Here are a few ideas I have prayed with —
Mary Baker Eddy states: Pilgrim on earth, thy home is heaven; stranger, thou art the guest of God.(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 254)
And Jesus tells us that that Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, all around us, and in fact right within us. (Luke 17:21 KJV)
I love Eddy’s take on Psalm 23
[DIVINE LOVE] is my shepherd; I shall not want.
[LOVE] maketh me to lie down in green pastures: [LOVE] leadeth me beside the still waters.
[LOVE] restoreth my soul [spiritual sense]: [LOVE] leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for [LOVE] is with me; [LOVE’S] rod and [LOVE’S] staff they comfort me.
[LOVE] prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: [LOVE] anointeth my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house [the consciousness] of [LOVE] for ever.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 578:4–18)
This hymn has always meant a lot to me –
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
Where is death’s sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 8:1–3)
And this hymn always brings hope and comfort –
In heavenly Love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid;
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?
Wherever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh,
His sight is never dim;
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.
Green pastures are before me,
Which yet I have not seen;
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure,
My path in life is free;
My Father has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.
(Christian Science Hymnal, No. 148:1–3)
kim hedge, cs 