The Servants Song

“Will you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant too”

While we (the staff of Hope House) usually are focused on how we may serve our clients, often we are moved by the simple kindness they share with us as well. Sally brings in a handful of wildflowers to brighten our desk; John offers a box of donuts he received from a local bakery; Irina shyly hands us a box of homemade cookies at Christmas. This is in addition to the kindnesses they share with each other: rides home, offers of babysitting while someone shops, and sharing of resources in the community.

“We are pilgrims on the journey
We are brothers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load”

The hardest part of our intake process is sitting with those (usually men) who are embarrassed and ashamed about needing help. They stress this is temporary and swear to help when they are back on their feet. This is when I tell them about the “circle of life” and how we are all going to make it if we work together and help each other. Sometimes you give and sometimes you receive—that is how life works.

“I will hold the Christ light for you
In the night time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear.”

Local agencies send clients to us with these instructions about how to find us: “the big white house with the red door”. This white house and red door are old, the furnishings shabby and the rooms are crowded, but our clients (actually, our family members!) will tell you this is a home. A safe place, a hangout space where all are welcome and everyone feels accepted for who they are and where they are. It is truly a community holding out its hand to those who need someplace to belong.

“I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.”

Our greatest joy at Hope House is hearing a client come in and proclaim that they have: found a job, obtained housing for their family or that their child is excelling at school, or they have a new precious baby or grandchild. Conversely, we also weep with those who have lost a loved one, their job or their housing, or have found out they have a serious illness. We share the mountains and the valleys of all our family members with love and compassion.

Hope House is a special place and I am honored to be part of it.