It’s been an interesting Thanksgiving week at our men’s shelter. This time of year (near the opening of our six months) the cupboards are well stocked with the generous donations of many. We’re eating well and the leftovers have been good.

Then along comes Richard on Monday night and his group from the Capitol Community Church. His pork shoulder roast has made me rethink my reason for attending a church. I now think that attending a church, and more specifically a home group at a church, could be based mostly on food. Eileen and I have always liked a home group that ate dinner together weekly. There is a basis for this belief. It’s called communion. I guess all I can say about Richard’s pork shoulder roast is thank you, Richard, for bringing worship to a meal this week at The Men’s Shelter.

Our friend and former guest Robert has been up and down at his stay at Swedish Hospital. Not back on the breathing tube as of yesterday but not doing well. Several of the men have been visiting Robert. There is a good sense of family and comradeship in our group of men. And as of this Sunday afternoon, he is back in a regular room on the 12^th floor. We’re pulling and praying for Robert.

It’s been a cold weekend. I wish we could give everybody a warm place to spend the night. I’ve heard some people say that shelters like ours are only temporary fixes and therefore not the best use of resources. I’d say all the help anyone gives any where is only temporary, just like all life in this world. Faith, hope, and love will last. I believe this world is not my home. I’m just passing through.

And I  think the German chocolate cake we had tonight might be eternal. Thanks, Sharon, for that QFC donation.

If you want to get in on the fellowship, give me a call.

Ben Paul