The Caring Center

The Caring Center at First Baptist Church Tulsa is a place where they hand out free food and clothes to people in need. This ministry, which serves homeless and low-income families, runs completely off volunteers and prayer. Since my return from India, I have volunteered there as consistently as possible.  It has shown me that people in need are right in front of me; people who look the same, speak the same language, eat the same kind of food, and wear the same kind of clothes. They are American citizens that live in Tulsa, Oklahoma exactly like I do. For years I had fantasized about all the different countries I would visit to care for the poor and needy in Christ’s name. It hit home that I was neglecting people I could help now.

But more than anything, working at the Caring Center brought some real perspective and truth into my life.

There were many jobs I did at the Caring Center, but my favorite job, of course, was clothing shopping. When I did this job, I would take the clients through the Caring Center’s clothing section and help them choose their outfit. But it was more than just helping clients choose their clothes, it was getting to know them and hearing their stories. And since it is affiliated through the church, my favorite part was being allowed to pray with each person and family. Everyday I worked I could see God intertwined in everything around me, and I am so thankful for all that I have been able to experience.

But one day in the midst of the busyness I neglected to recognize a truth that God was trying to teach me.

When clothes-shopping that day, I was assigned to help a particular homeless woman. She was very talkative and had strong opinions about things. And not surprisingly, due to this extremely hot weather, she was very exhausted. So, it called for a lot more patience and empathy than usual.

While we went to the back and looked through clothes, I tried to ask her about her life so I would know things I could pray about with her. Once we got all the basic items I was ready to be finished, but being done was the last thing on this woman’s mind.  Everything she got didn’t satisfy her because she kept asking for more and more. While I was being very lenient and generous with our items, it got to a point where I had to end the shopping because of the many clients waiting to shop after her. About 15 minutes after she left, she came back again to ask me for even more things! On top of everything she had already received, she asked for a blanket, baby shoes for her granddaughter, a hat, a belt and many other items. And in addition to that, she was asking for these things while I was helping other people on this very busy day. So as you can imagine, my patience started to run a little more thin than usual.

And when I responded with a polite, “Ma’m I am not sure if I can give you much more” she would scrunch up her face and give me an upset response. Even though I was frustrated, I still found a way to meet some of her needs in a kind way. At that point, what I really wanted to do was throw my hands up and say, “I have made A LOT of exceptions for you! Can’t you just be satisfied?!”

Looking back now, I find it quite humorous. Not because of the lady’s need or the odd situation, but because of my attitude and thinking about the predicament.

This lady’s attitude toward the Caring Center is exactly how my attitude is toward God.

God has given me everything for free, but I still ask for more! He even gave the biggest gift of all, HIS ONLY SON! I always want to be doing or receiving something new instead of being content on what God has already provided. He continues to give me multiple blessings, but I go to him as if none are satisfying.

And on top of that, I am not at all different than the lady I helped at the Caring Center.

I am not entitled to more.

I am not loved by God more.

I am not more deserving than she is.

I am nothing more than she is, I am exactly the same.

So, why do I go to God as if I am? As if I am more deserving? 

It is my human tendency, I guess.

But it makes me thankful that God still uses me despite all the flaws that I have found (and some of the ones I haven’t!) about myself.

He is just that good; He uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary.

Thanks for reading!

Karlie