pathway to destiny

The Volunteer

The volunteer came in at 9:00 a.m. Bob was always on time. Coming to the Urban Ministry to counsel the homeless was his joy and delight. Although he often looked disheveled, no one seemed to mind. His shirt always needed ironing. His shoes were muddy around the edges too, but it didn't matter. Perhaps he was a gardener when he went home. Bob fit in with his neighbors better that way. Bob had a way of relating to the homeless neighbors who came in for help. He understood their needs better than most of the other volunteers. Could it be a strong sense of intuition or a big heart of compassion that moved him? Either way, he was the best one the ministry had to counsel the people. None of the other volunteers quite knew where Bob lived. He would leave a few minutes after every one else had gone. Bob insisted on tidying up before he left for the day.
One Saturday evening, when the Urban Ministry Center was closed; Dale, the Director saw Bob downtown. He was warming his hands near a big barrel that had a fire in it. There were others with him. It was obvious they were homeless. The tattered clothes, and worn out shoes were telltale signs that these people were extremely needy. But what was Bob doing there? Here in this setting, he looked like he fit in with his homeless friends. The wrinkled shirt, the muddy shoes; it all started to make sense. Bob did not know Dale had seen him, and Dale left it that way.

Monday morning, Bob came to the ministry center as usual and sat down at his desk. Dale came in, "Hi Bob, mind if I join you for a minute?" "Sure,” Bob said with cheeriness in his voice. "Bob, Dale started off with pensiveness in his voice, where do you live? I mean, what is your address?" "Well I...move around a lot, Dale. I'm kind of in between places right now," Bob replied slowly; I saw you downtown Saturday warming your hands around the barrel with some others." Bob put his head down. "Its true, Bob said, knowing what Dale was insinuating. I am homeless too. That’s why I can relate so well to the homeless neighbors that come here for counsel and help. I figured since I know what they are going through, I could help them, and it would give me something to do during the day; a place for me to stay out of the cold."
Dale looked at Bob with wisdom in his eyes. "Bob, you just keep doing what you’re doing. You are our best counselor at the ministry. I am honored to have you volunteer here." With tears in his eyes, Bob replied, "Thank you, Dale, thank you."