What a week! I feel I have run an emotional marathon, but the pace is different from a run. With emotions, I tend to sprint up the mountains of elation and joy, and then try to put the brakes on going into the valleys of despair and confusion. This type of marathon defies the laws of physics.

This week I have talked with a man outside our ministry in the dumpster looking for materials to board up his windows. He believes people are trying to break in and kidnap him for his connection with the Grateful Dead. Such a kind spirit. As he turns away, he looks into my eyes and says "I love you." Our house has been filled with groups from churches organizing our clothes closet and cooking meals for us. We have had the angelic music from a harp, and the soft cries of a woman who has been told by her family that they are tired of her, and dumped her off at the shelter on Tuesday. There have been gifts given, and songs sung. Laughter and hope, and emptiness and pain. People with much and people with almost nothing coming by to give their money to help those without hope.

I heard a few minutes of a radio sermon this week. I don't know who the pastor was, but he talked about the exquisite joy of recognizing the beauty of a King Who cared so much about the pain and suffering in our world that He chose - yes, chose - to have His Prince of a Son be born to a poor little nobody like Mary, in a poor little nothing town like Bethlehem. Stinking hay and on which to lay His head, and water from an animal trough to clean the birth blood from His face. Born into misery so that He could lead us out - no wonder the skies were filled with the voices of angels - Good tidings of Great joy!! Unto us a Son is born - unto us a Savior is given.

I don't think I've ever experienced a Christmas that I have really gotten it like I have this time. I feel as if all the symbolism of giving is making sense to me. Rich and poor can and must give to receive the truth of what it means to be rescued from our despair.

In spite of the raw pain of human suffering, I am just so grateful to be involved in ministry to the homeless and hurting. Not only can I see the clear connection between us, I also can offer them the Hope that has rescued me, and continues to rescue me in this crazy "dumpster" world that I clank around in every day. "A beggar telling other beggars where to find bread."

This sprint up the mountain of realization has filled me with enough joy to bravely face the next valley with less halted step. All is well. Christ is with us.