It wasn’t long before Maggie was noticed rummaging through the trash looking for something that she could either eat or salvage. She wore mismatched clothes, sneakers with holes in the toes and gloves that were missing the fingers. She came looking for a free meal and found something more valuable. Maggie has shared her story with many kids at different churches but had never received this level of acceptance and immediate friendship. Like all visits the children were initially apprehensive about Maggie but eventually warmed up to her dynamic personality . As they shared and asked questions the kids accepted her as a friend despite their differences.
To help kids understand the importance of reaching out to people in need, I  portray Maggie, a homeless lady. I encourage kids to recognize the needs of people around them and act on that need. These kids needed little encouragement. One particular girl accepted Maggie and became her instant friend. Her name was Eleanor. She introduced Maggie to other kids, invited her to sit next to her and welcomed her to pray and worship with the group. Maggie felt important and loved.
That day I saw the heartbeat of those children. Although Maggie and the children were different they didn’t treat her different. They didn’t base their love for her on her economic or social status. They loved her despite their differences. If only the world could operate in the same way!