Myself and my three other friends were at one of Toronto's many parks - this one is especially known for being one of the social hubs for the homeless and poor in the city - to distribute the clothing and food we had. It was there that I met my friend. We didn't exchange names but what I received from the conversation was much more valuable than civil pleasantries. His long grey beard and fisherman's hat paired with the solemn expression on his face and calm yet authoritative tone of his voice captured my attention. He spoke about the things he wanted to do in his life and the places he dreamt about travelling. It seemed as if he knew exactly how he was going to get there and when he was going to go. His dreams made me consider my own dreams. He was a man of humble living yet his dreams were so much bigger than my own dreams. I thought, if he could dream that way, then I must be cutting myself short. Why don't I dream the way he dreams? His dreams are so big and so far away from what my eyes told me he could achieve. Yet my heart cheered for him. I thought hey, if you can dream it, then you can achieve it! During our conversation I asked him if he wanted any of the clothes from the bag I was holding and he looked at me dead in the eye and politely replied, "No thank you, I have more than enough." A questioning look appeared on my face since I didn't understand how a man who lived in a shelter could have more than enough so I asked him, "Are you sure?" It was then that he pointed to a bench behind me. I looked back and I saw a suitcase the size of a backpack with a winter jacket resting on top of it. He said, "I have everything I need." His peaceful face testified to his words and that he was being completely genuine. I was awestruck. Here I am, living a beautiful home, driving a car, going to university and clothes in my closet that I never wear and still I am not content. Still I want more. Where did this man find his contentment? How was he so satisfied with what he had? I reflected on his words then and still I reflect.
I have, still i want. I get, still I want more.
Monday, April 5
Two days ago I went downtown Toronto with a church group called 'Feed The Streets'. A leader from my church planned the entire day and provided at least a dozen huge bags of clothing plus tons of sandwiches and other types of food for distribution to the poor and homeless in the city. The day was filled with divine appointments, heart wrenching stories, prayer for those who requested it and a massive display of God's love for His children. It was an absolutely amazing day and there are many uniquely inspiring stories that I could share with you but there was one particular conversation that really made me reflect on my own life.
Myself and my three other friends were at one of Toronto's many parks - this one is especially known for being one of the social hubs for the homeless and poor in the city - to distribute the clothing and food we had. It was there that I met my friend. We didn't exchange names but what I received from the conversation was much more valuable than civil pleasantries. His long grey beard and fisherman's hat paired with the solemn expression on his face and calm yet authoritative tone of his voice captured my attention. He spoke about the things he wanted to do in his life and the places he dreamt about travelling. It seemed as if he knew exactly how he was going to get there and when he was going to go. His dreams made me consider my own dreams. He was a man of humble living yet his dreams were so much bigger than my own dreams. I thought, if he could dream that way, then I must be cutting myself short. Why don't I dream the way he dreams? His dreams are so big and so far away from what my eyes told me he could achieve. Yet my heart cheered for him. I thought hey, if you can dream it, then you can achieve it! During our conversation I asked him if he wanted any of the clothes from the bag I was holding and he looked at me dead in the eye and politely replied, "No thank you, I have more than enough." A questioning look appeared on my face since I didn't understand how a man who lived in a shelter could have more than enough so I asked him, "Are you sure?" It was then that he pointed to a bench behind me. I looked back and I saw a suitcase the size of a backpack with a winter jacket resting on top of it. He said, "I have everything I need." His peaceful face testified to his words and that he was being completely genuine. I was awestruck. Here I am, living a beautiful home, driving a car, going to university and clothes in my closet that I never wear and still I am not content. Still I want more. Where did this man find his contentment? How was he so satisfied with what he had? I reflected on his words then and still I reflect.
Myself and my three other friends were at one of Toronto's many parks - this one is especially known for being one of the social hubs for the homeless and poor in the city - to distribute the clothing and food we had. It was there that I met my friend. We didn't exchange names but what I received from the conversation was much more valuable than civil pleasantries. His long grey beard and fisherman's hat paired with the solemn expression on his face and calm yet authoritative tone of his voice captured my attention. He spoke about the things he wanted to do in his life and the places he dreamt about travelling. It seemed as if he knew exactly how he was going to get there and when he was going to go. His dreams made me consider my own dreams. He was a man of humble living yet his dreams were so much bigger than my own dreams. I thought, if he could dream that way, then I must be cutting myself short. Why don't I dream the way he dreams? His dreams are so big and so far away from what my eyes told me he could achieve. Yet my heart cheered for him. I thought hey, if you can dream it, then you can achieve it! During our conversation I asked him if he wanted any of the clothes from the bag I was holding and he looked at me dead in the eye and politely replied, "No thank you, I have more than enough." A questioning look appeared on my face since I didn't understand how a man who lived in a shelter could have more than enough so I asked him, "Are you sure?" It was then that he pointed to a bench behind me. I looked back and I saw a suitcase the size of a backpack with a winter jacket resting on top of it. He said, "I have everything I need." His peaceful face testified to his words and that he was being completely genuine. I was awestruck. Here I am, living a beautiful home, driving a car, going to university and clothes in my closet that I never wear and still I am not content. Still I want more. Where did this man find his contentment? How was he so satisfied with what he had? I reflected on his words then and still I reflect.
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