Seeing the World in a New Light

I walked into Pine Street Inn, a shelter for men and women, holding
Safiya's tiny hand, hardly noticing that my grip continued to tighten
as I walked through the shelter. I had never been in such a placeand
seen such different people -- people who didn't have adequate clothes,
didn't have food, didn't even have a table to put food on, couldn't
own a house. I had always imagined what homeless people lived like,
but on this trip, it finally came into perspective: it was real.
Noticing dozens of eyes on me, I looked straight ahead, afraid to come
intoeye contact with anyone. Isaw men, young and old, sober and drunk,
sprawled across the floor sleeping, or leaning against the walls
shoutingat us, "helloo ladies." Seeing them frightened me along with
the rest of the MAS youth group.
However, as I continued to walk through the shelter with my group and
guide, Scottie, my grip on Safiya's hand began to loosen. Earlier I
was glad to have a child's hand to hold; it made it seem as though I
was protecting her; however, Irealized I was just trying to protect
myself. Finally, my fears calmed.
My stomach felt queasy, not out of fear, but out of depression. My
heart clenched trying its hardestto fight back tears. Unshaven men
looked upon us with deep eyes. Their eyes seemed to tell the stories
of their lives, stories so powerful my eyes could hardly meet theirs.
As I looked around more carefully, I remembered these men and women
were people, people like me. But they weren't like me. They didn't
even havethe basic necessities of life. I started to feel out ofplace
wearing expensive clothing and carrying a nice purse. God's blessing
over me contrasted with the surrounding in which I was. I began to
realize how blessed I am.
I realized how much we all take for granted, forgetting to thank God
for the wonderful things we've been blessed with. Many of us fail to
see the blessings of this life and focus on the negative aspects of
life. Visiting the Pine Street Inn reopened my eyes to reality. I
remembered how many blessings have been bestowed upon me by God.
Things finally startedto come into perspective.
After leaving Pine Street, my outlook on life has changed. One would
say,"how can a person changefrom one trip," but in reality, it is
quite possible.I can hardly put into words what emotions have been
going through me since I left, but my life has been greatly impacted.
Before I say"my life is so hard!" I think back on what I saw at Pine
Street. Alhamdullillah, all praises to God, my life is more than
bearable. The Qur'an repeatedly states, "On no soul do We place a
burden greater than it canbear."
Thinking back on everything I saw, I admireScottie and the others who
work there. Whetherone is volunteering or being paid for working
there, it takes more than just money to get someone to work in a place
like that. It takes a heart. It takes strength. Many times we lack
this sympathy for others and forget about the world around us. Scottie
and those like her deserve a lot of credit for having thedrive to help
others."Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by
day in secretand in public have their reward with their Lord: on them
shall be no fear nor shall they grieve." (The Qur'an 2:274).
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