Unexpected Gifts

Last week I was in Calgary visiting the Mustard Seed, which is an organization similar to Siloam Mission as it works to alleviate the hardships of homelessness and poverty.

One evening I was walking along one of the downtown streets and I came across a man with a large shopping cart filled with many little treasures. He stopped me and I thought he was about to ask for spare change, but he was attempting something else. He offered me a gift.

He had an old squash racket that he had found on the street and asked if I would like it. I suggested he should keep it because it was his. However, he told me he really had no use for it and would like me to have it. So I accepted.

The racket sits in my apartment now because I don't play squash. It's not about the use of the item though; rather it’s about where it came from. Besides, perhaps it gives me a reason to learn the sport.

We just recently sent out our summer newsletter entitled "Unexpected Gifts". The theme reflects the idea that we often have low expectations of our neighbours who live on the streets. We think that because they are experiencing poverty and homelessness, they must have nothing to offer. Often, the things we receive from people who are homeless (whether it be material or otherwise) are unexpected. We assume they have nothing of value to give. It's during moments like the one described above that we realize how wrong we are.

Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator