The day dirty, smelly Donovan came to church



Donovan is a homeless man. He is short and dark with unkempt hair; always dirty, smelly and grimy. This is not the kind of man you would expect to see in church mingling with people, attired in their Sunday best.  But Donovan came to church one Sunday. He came while a visiting pastor was preaching a message about the transforming power of Christ the Risen King.
Pain and grief etched on his face, he rushed past the rows of seated churchgoers and made his way to
the altar, while the pastor was immersed in his message of hope.

But as Donovan stretched out his extremely dirty and calloused hands, just for a touch from the pastor, the man of God avoided them and continued preaching. Those hands were just too messy to be touched. But Donovan persisted and stretched them out even further. Still the preacher avoided the grime and dirt. I was reduced to tears as I saw Donovan clutching instead a large, white Bible that lay on the pulpit. The Bible seemed to provide the comfort that Donovan needed. He was crying by now. I started crying too, as the scene brought home the reality that there were many persons like Donovan who needed help and there was no to offer them genuine assistance whether social or spiritual.

Then came the altar call for those who needed “mending by the potter”. I hastily made my way to the altar and stood right beside Donovan. He smelled terribly but I could not complain about his stench because, before God, I too was smelly. My stench was also reaching up to the nostrils of the Most High God on behalf of His people.  Our ways needed mending. We are a selfish people that continue to ignore the poor and destitute, passing them on the road every day, oblivious of their pain and suffering and also neglecting to tell them that Jesus died for them too and that the Kingdom of God is also opened to them.

Two deacons came to the altar, laid hands on Donovan and started praying. They prayed until sweat poured like rain from their brows. The church joined in prayer. It seemed quite a painful exercise. After the altar call, the head pastor made a nonchalant announcement that Donovan needed a shower and a change of clothes.
But Donovan left the church as smelly and dirty as he came.  The following day I spotted him on East Queen Street in Downtown Kingston wearing the same dirty clothes he had worn to church. My grief was rekindled.

A prayer for the homeless and destitute:

Almighty God, awesome in power and might, help us to see others as you see them. Anoint us for the awesome task of caring for the poor and needy of the nations. Bless willing hearts with the resources to help those who cry daily for help. Prepare us as vessels ready to do your will. Precious Lord, bless your children, whom you have also prepared a place for. Amen!

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