Clothes Make the Man

It's weird and humbling experience to see your old clothes hung up and ready to be redistributed. When you see the specific item you find yourself instantly transported back to a memory connecting that insignificant piece of cloth to a time in your life, be it bad or good it's still a part of you. Now it lays in wait, the old robe you wore on Christmas morning, those comfortable jeans that spent days breaking in, all for someone who needs them more.

I donated a large bag of my clothes to the Common Ground Community. They have a Clothing Closet where anyone can come in and take what they need with no limit. They also have a food pantry and a community meal on Weds. This only scratches the surface of their Ministry. They serve the cedar grove community and many "outdoor friends" with meals, food, and clothes. The children get homework help and everyone gets a good dose of Christian Love.

But, a few weeks ago I delivered the clothes in a large trash bag. Yesterday I took a walk around and found some of my pieces on hangers waiting for someone to get excited by prospects of new-to-them attire. I touched them, almost sad that they were no longer mine. However, even though I may never see the person who chooses my extras or see the benefits that are yielded from them, I know that feeling far out ways any inkling of longing to have my clothes back. Perhaps a new career was won with one of my old dress shirts, legs are now warm because of a pair of jeans, or a teenager has a "cool" new t-shirt to bum around in.

No matter what, the capacity of giving and love Common Ground Community has provided is, for lack of a better word, Amazing. ..."whatever you do to the least of mine, you do to me." Jesus' words from the bible. Whenever taken to heart can completely change who you are. It may just be the simple start of donating some clothes that will launch you into an all-out, full time, sell everything you have and move away type of Love. But, who knows...

(if you want to know more about the CGC or if you want to donate food and clothes, let me know and I will point you in the right direction)