Thursdays are one of my favorite days of the week. On that day, I have the opportunity to spend a few volunteer hours at the Grace Center. The Grace Center in Gloucester offers a safe, free, day resource center for people who are homeless and others, including older or disabled adults, isolated community members, and people at high risk of or in crisis. I have a particular draw to the work of the Grace Center because it helps get my heart where I want it to be.
You see, I had a brother-in-law who spent most of his adult life homeless, a consequence of his addiction to alcohol. I cannot count the number of times I and his family tried to help him stay housed and in recovery. It was a sad, frustrating, and sometimes fearful time, that dragged on for years. I freely admit that over time my heart hardened to him. There were times when I and my family just couldn’t bear to bail him out, put him up in a motel, or let him sleep in our basement “just one more time.” Honestly, it was hard to love him and be compassionate. My heart was hardened to his plight and to people in similar circumstances. I thank God for organizations like the Grace Center, the Salvation Army, and recovery hospitals. They did for my brother-in-law what I could not do.
A number of years ago, a congregation I pastored had a long-standing ministry with a local shelter for people who are homeless. Once a month, members of the congregation cooked and served a meal at the shelter. The pastor was expected to join them, which I did. It was there I learned how to let my heart soften toward those who are homeless and/or addicted. I learned the way of love and compassion through simple human gestures like a delicious hot meal, kind words, and a listening ear that didn’t have to “fix” anyone or anything.
Now, 20 years later, I still stay connected to community programs that care for people who are not housed. I do it because it helps to keep my heart where I want it to be: compassionate, soft, and open toward members of our community that are marginalized, hidden, and to whom hearts are often hardened and judgmental. My experience reminds me of something Jesus once said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
It’s easy to turn his words around. We might hear him say, “Where your heart is, there will your treasure be also.” In a lot of ways, that would make sense to us, because our time, money, and energy often follow where our hearts lead us. We give to what matters to us. That’s the appeal we hear from fundraising campaigns. Whether it is for public radio or muscular dystrophy or a college alma mater, the appeal to us is: “If you care about this cause or this institution, you’ll send a donation.” In other words, where your heart is, there is where your treasure will go.
But that’s not what Jesus said. He said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Jesus is teaching us about a different dynamic. Invest your time, your energy, your money and other resources where you want your heart to be, and let your heart catch up. Don’t just give yourself to the things you care about. Give to the things you want to care about. Put your treasure where you want your heart to be, and your heart will follow.
We are entering into a tremendous season of giving. As you allocate your time, your talents, and your resources, take some time to reflect on where you want your heart to be, but your spirit has not yet been willing to go. To what or whom has your heart hardened and compassion drained away? Do you wish it could be different? Place your time, your talent, your energy, your money there and your heart is sure to follow.
The Rev. LaDonna Thomas is pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1123 Washington St., in the Lanesville section of Gloucester.