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From time to time, I share with you a guest post, when I find one that’s particularly helpful. This short story, from Richard Spillman, is such an encouragement. So often we get discouraged because the small good we do in Jesus’ name can seem to not make much of a difference. Ever feel that way? Here’s Richard’s words:

A Blanket for Rachel

By Richard Spillman

It was a cold and wet Sunday morning in June of 2006 when my wife, Bonnie, and I met Rachel for the first and only time.  We serve at a church for the homeless of Tacoma called the Downtown Crossing.

This particular morning, as we do every Sunday, we went outside at 7 am to welcome people into the church service.  I greeted the usual group of friends all of whom looked tired from spending the night on the streets.  Then I noticed a small, African-American woman sitting on her backpack and leaning against the side of the church.

We went over to her and introduced ourselves.  Bonnie asked her if she had been able to sleep in a shelter that night.  Rachael told us that she had tried to get into a local shelter; but she had been near the back of the line.  The shelter filled up before she could get in.  She had tried to sleep outside, but she was too uncomfortable to get any real rest.

Now she was tired, cold, and hungry.  This is not an unusual story because there are many more homeless on the streets of Tacoma than there are beds available in the local shelters.

It was then that the Spirit led Bonnie to ask Rachael if she had a blanket.

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