Clothed In Joy – Spring 2009

“Clothed in Joy”
A Sermon
By Sara Zeigler
Side-By-Side Volunteer and Steering Committee Member

As some of you know, a little over a year ago, I began to work with a spiritual companion group called Side-By-Side.  It is a ministry with the homeless in conjunction with Loaves and Fishes in which we become listeners to the needs of the people there.  One of my ministry gifts is music, so I began volunteering at the Monday afternoon Jam Session.  Some might be apprehensive about being with the homeless but I’ve found working with them, side by side, that the homeless are real people, with real needs.  And what they need most is someone to listen to them…to hear their stories…to validate them as persons of worth.

As I was willing to listen to their stories, accepting them and not judging them, they began to share their deepest needs.  One man thanked me for talking to him.  He said he could now talk to his sister again.  Their relationship has been restored.  Christine, another guest, didn’t talk much but she loved to play the tambourine.  And Brenda loved to sing.  And so we did.  We sang and sang.  And loved it!  They were validated!  They have worth!  We are accepted no matter what façade, what exterior is present, no matter what fear, what interior blemish has come to exist.