Hidden Moments

It was full at the bridge during our Homeless Outreach Ministry this past Tuesday evening. Over 50 guests arrived to eat, to fellowship, and carry on. The atmosphere for the most part was light hearted. We were rejoicing with one of our men who had been homeless pretty much for the past 11 years, under the bridge for a long time, almost died 6 months before when he fell from the bridge and now he is doing well. Someone gave him a chance on a farm and our friend is taking the job seriously and doing well and has a roof over his head now. He is happier than we have ever seen him. People were walking and chatting all over the bridge. At the end of the evening as guests were leaving, I noticed a new man sitting on the concrete sitting and he was distraught, he was upset and not knowing what to do. He didn't know how to move forward. As I was standing in the center of the bridge praying about what to do, I saw my husband walk over and sit next to the man and began talking. I looked away thanking God for sending the right one over. I looked up again and my husband had taken hold of the man's hand, their heads bowed, my husband was praying for this man. The man noticeably became calmer.

I started to capture the scene with my camera I take there every week, but I stopped before even taking it out the bag. It was such a holy moment, I couldn't lessen it with a picture. It would have been a beautiful picture, but in this hidden moment, I felt it should stay hidden. . .well, hidden as far as not showing it from the camera.

There are many hidden moments at the bridge that I have not captured with my camera but they are all captured in my mind, like the two female volunteers who took hold of the crying man's hands and prayed over him. Another scared and crying man reaching out to one of our male volunteers and whispered, "Do you believe in God?"  The Christian and the atheist shaking hands. My husband running across the street to buy a large water bottle for a man dying of thirst. Hearing grateful people saying "thank you" to the one who fed them, to the ones who prayed for them, for one giving a hug.

Love and grace at the bridge. . .it's all over the place. But it's in those hidden moments not noticed by everyone that sends tingles all over me. How many other hidden moments go on in this world that do not get noticed. There is One who does notice every single hidden moment though, our Lord and Savior. He knows. Can't you see Him smiling? But I am so thankful when He allows me to get a peek or even partake in those hidden moments. They are special. They are healing in more ways than one. It is grace flowing all around. It's a breath of fresh air.

I will continue to take my camera to the bridge, but when a hidden moment reveals itself to me and it is just too holy, the camera will stay at rest in the bag and the hidden moment will just stay captured in my mind. And I will thank the Lord for allowing me to peek in.