Matt Whitehead

A few times a month, I drove a van transporting homeless women who were staying nights in the shelter at our church in Seattle. On one of those trips to downtown Seattle, I was visiting with Sally (not her real name), one of the shelter residents. During our conversation, I asked her how she had gotten along the previous week when the weather was uncharacteristically cold for Seattle, with several days freezing rain and snow. She replied that it was very hard, and the most difficult part was being on the streets when she had holes in her shoes. Her very cold, wet feet had been a constant challenge and even though she had been indoors much of the time, it had taken hours to warm her feet.

For the rest of our van ride, I found myself fighting back the tears. I thought about all the shoes in my closet, including the boots that I had recently purchased—knowing at the time that they would only be worn a few times a year. I was reminded how rich I am—that if I had holes in my shoes, I would simply go the store and buy another pair. I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit asking if I would respond to this obvious and simple need.

As Sally was getting out of the van, I asked if she would allow my wife and me to buy her some shoes. She agreed, and a week later I met her at a downtown department store where I had the honor of buying new shoes for Sally.

In the Gospels, Jesus reminds us that when we serve and care for the poor, we are really serving Him. Jesus disturbing words in Matthew 25 also point out that when we refuse to serve the poor, we not only fail them; we also fail Him.

The Free Methodist Church, of which we are privileged to be a part, began its ministry by serving the poor and others on the margins of society. As Free Methodists, we have what Pastor Mark Van Valin calls “a preference for the poor.” I wholeheartedly agree with Pastor Mark. My prayer is that, as Free Methodists, we will seize every opportunity to live out our commitment to a social holiness that boldly proclaims the salvation found only Jesus Christ and also offers practical expressions of love and service to the needs of hurting people.

When I drove the next Monday morning, I saw Sally again. As she was getting into the van I happened to look down at her feet and saw her new shoes. I was thankful that one homeless woman in Seattle now had dry feet and that God used Sally to remind me of the holy call to honor and serve the poor.

TIME FOR REFLECTION:

• How are you living out social holiness in your community?
• When was the last time you “bought a pair of shoes” for someone in need?
• Who might you “buy a pair of shoes” for today?