The Shoes

This is a true story about homelessness and sacrifice.

(Disclaimer: Names, genders, and other details have been left out due to privacy laws.)

When I was a CPI (Child Protection Investigator), I encountered many heartbreaking stories, but this story is one of those that will stick with me forever.

I received my case file which stated there was a homeless family. Now, this wasn't my first homeless family case; unfortunately it happens often. The good news is there are resources for these families, the bad news is that it's limited. My main focus and goal was to assess the situation, see if the children were safe, and provide the family with available resources to help them "back to their feet."

With every case there are always unknowns. With this one in particular, the unknowns were "what happened to cause this family to be homeless? "Are the parents being protective of their children?" "Do they have a support system?" etc...

I found the family at a gas station and met with them right outside the car wash. I had sincere compassion towards the family as my heart wanted to desperately help them. After a series of questions it became clear the parents were not being truthful and were making poor, questionable decisions which was causing the family to remain homeless. It became evident to me that removing the children from their care was the only safe option for them.

The children immediately started to cry (this was the hardest part of the job) and hugged their parents tightly goodbye before making their way to my company car.

The children had nothing. I mean the clothes on their back, each other, and that is it. As we were walking to my vehicle the oldest child turned around, took off their shoes, and gave them to the father and said to him "you need these more than me."

It was so hard to hold back my tears. If i'm being honest, my initial reaction (to myself) was "he doesn't deserve your shoes, he was suppose to take care of you!! HOW does he need those more than you, you have nothing!" My second reaction was "wow, what an amazing sacrifice."

Now, I advised the children that they were going to someone's home and they would be given clothes, a shower, and a place to rest. However, despite the situation and not truly knowing if they would see their family again, the last thing the oldest decided to do was sacrifice their only pair of shoes. Wow.

So here I am having to roll my windows down back to the office (because they smelt so bad from not showering for so long), crying silently to myself knowing these children deserved more. But, also crying because of the sacrifice I just witnessed.

We eventually got back to the office, the children walked in barefoot and filthy bravely to their new beginnings. Although I am not sure where they are now, I am so thankful God chose me to have my path cross theirs.

I learned a huge lesson from that child- the epitome of how we are suppose to live. We are suppose to give out of our hearts, give even when we have nothing. Just like in

Mark 12:42-44 "But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more in the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything- all she had to live on."

So I will choose to continue to give even if/when my financial stability lacks because for me giving is far better than receiving. For me giving is a glimpse into the heart of God.

Many thanks to you kiddo, wherever you may be, for displaying the ultimate sacrifice, may I always model my life after your heart!