Montrose Street Reach

Last night, I was invited by the Houston chapter of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) to come and sing at their annual Christmas service.

I have to admit, I was out of my comfort zone but after some of the things that have happened over the last several years, I’ve tried to go through most any door God opens for me. And he keeps opening lots of different kinds of doors .

The Montrose Street Reach meets in a parking lot behind a church off Montrose here in Houston. When I got there, I was aware there were all kinds of people already starting to gather. Some were volunteers there to help with food service and the passing out of gifts. But most in the crowd were homeless from the streets of that part of Houston. There were teenagers and there were senior citizens.

I played several songs for them, then launched into the requisite medley of Christmas carols. When I started to play “O Come Let Us Adore Him” the crowd sang like a choir! And they proceeded to sing at the top of their lungs through every single song. It was spectacular!

There was a rare sweetness in this gathering. I spoke a few quietly thought out words to them, tried my best to be honest (I told them there was no way I could related to most of the things they face every day and if they thought I was going to try and do that, well, it just wasn’t going to happen) and more importantly, tried to be gentle with them and let them know how loved they were.

I really enjoyed the evening and I really enjoy being part of a team effort like this. Lots of people doing . . . something! And each one, using their strengths to carry the message of the Babe in the Manger, grown to be our Savior, Suffering a humiliating public death on a cross, buried and raised to give all of us – wealthy, poor, healthy, sick, ignorant and wise – life that’s abundant and life that’s eternal.

Merry Christmas!