Where Would Jesus Go?
The Poor Woman Who Put Me to Shame
Photo By: Pixabay/mohamed_hassan
We’re about the same age. She was living in a homeless shelter with her husband and children. She told me she couldn’t sleep but 2 hours a night there with all of the burdens she faced.
I met her one night while making crafts with children at the shelter. She was profoundly hopeful, hospitable, nurturing and giving. God has clearly gifted her with a heart for others. Her eyes lit up talking about serving and caring for others.
She has a dream and faces hard choices, but perseveres. She told me of her dream to open a group home and care for others who couldn’t care for themselves. She was earning her LPN, wanted her RN, but knew she couldn’t sacrifice earning an income and caring for her family to get it.
She told me of what she gave to others from her little - her time, sitting with the infirmed elderly as an STNA, and giving donations to people in need within her community.
You could tell what moved her. She wore a big cross on her neck. She wasn't ashamed to show it.
She’s a living example of the Gospel. The woman puts me to shame. She gives from her little, and I give from my abundance. She lives in hope of her dream, and I can’t even remember what used to be my dreams. She perseveres in trials towards the goal God put in her heart, and I often just want to give up.
I learned much from my encounter with her.
The poor teach us, if we have ears to listen and eyes to see.
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About the Author
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, and certified health and life coach. She volunteers with St. Vincent de Paul Society serving the poor, is an active mentor to many individuals, and a prolific writer. Her writing interests and focus areas include spiritual development, reflections on the Gospel life, Franciscian spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and work/daily living. She is the published author of Called to Corporate: Lessons of Growing in Faith and Holiness from the Corporate Cubicle.
