Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: SOUL / SOLE (03/02/23)
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TITLE: Warmth | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jennifer Percell
03/09/23 -
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“His feet are bare Jennie, what can we do?”
“No shoes at all?”
“Just rubber flip flops, no socks.” Sam's lip trembled.
I wiped my hands on my Christmas apron. The gravy needed stirring, there were potatoes to peel, many ways to justify ignoring the barefoot man, but with a hot cup of coffee in one hand and a fresh cookie in the other I made my way through the tight aisles between the tables.
I prayed for the courage to cross the invisible line between 'us' the volunteers and 'them' the hungry souls at the soup kitchen. Who was this man with no shoes on this frigid December day?
“Coffee and a cookie, Sir? I'm Jennie.” I reached for his hand.
Dark brown eyes looked startled as he raised his head, he glanced at the cookie, then my hand, I witnessed his battle between courtesy and hunger. Wrapping both of my hands around his, I asked his name.
“I'm John, thank you ma'am.”
“Well, John, I'm not old enough to be your ma'am, Jennie will do just fine.”
“Thank you, ma'am.” He ducked his head quickly.
I had embarrassed John. The temperature was 8, windchill, minus 30, he was wearing a t-shirt. All I wanted to do was rub those cold arms and wrap him in a blanket.
“John, I'm so glad you are here.”
Ashamed by my discomfort in the face of his suffering, I hurried back to the kitchen.
Sam and his parents played carols, the food smelled wonderful, we had wrapped presents for everyone who came, warm socks, stocking caps and bags of Christmas candy.
Ainsley started to refill coffee cups. I watched as she leaned over bedrolls, huge backpacks and unwashed heads with skill I didn't know she had. This silly, rowdy teen was working the room. She patted shoulders, made jokes, topped off half empty cups cradled in red, chapped fingers without an awkward moment.
I was lost in the pain of the masses, Ainsley was seeing each one, reaching soul to soul, one at a time with eye contact and smiles.
Turning back to the kitchen I nearly ran into the woman beside me.
“I love your cape.” It was a pretty, long flowing cloak, but it was thin, and she was pale with the cold. “What's your name?”
“Jennifer.”
“Oh, that's my name too so I won't forget you.”
I will too. I will forget you as I curl up in my warm recliner this afternoon, with a blanket and a cup of cocoa. My mind will be as far away from you and your cold, cold world as I can flee to in my cozy suburb.
Looking at Jennifer, cold and alone in the corner, I saw her, really saw her. And my soul cried out to God. He did not answer in words, but He gave me direction. I went to the coat rack. My new jacket with thermal lining, leather gloves and a wool scarf hung there.
“Jennifer, are you staying in the shelter?”
“Last night I stayed in my tent, but the wind blew so hard, I just laid there and screamed.”
“Can you go to the shelter tonight? Please tell me you will.” My voice nearly failed me.
“Here, take off your cape and wear these under it.”
She looked at me with raw emotion, her shock and joy cut deep.
“Really, you are giving me that coat?”
As I hugged her, I willed my body heat to reach her, I felt the fragile link we had, one Jennifer to another, and I prayed that as her body warmed, her soul would feel Jesus flowing in.
John. I walked to the gift table and found the bags with the largest sizes. Pulling out the woolen double-soled men's socks I made sure his bag had two pair.
“John, Merry Christmas.” I reached in and pulled out the socks, I laid them on his lap and looking into those big brown eyes, I saw a flicker of joy.
“Miss Jennie, did you just give that lady your coat? You can't do that! You will freeze!”
“Oh, Sam, I can turn on the heat in that warm car out there and drive to the mall to buy any coat I want. I haven't sacrificed at all, but I do feel just a little bit warmer.”
*My experience.
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