Family life is a bit like a runny peach pie - not perfect but who's complaining? ~Robert Brault

Many of us are blessed to have blood relatives nearby, but some people have virtually no one. Recently, during a jail visit to one of our regulars, I asked, "Are there phone calls I can make for you--someone who needs to know you're in here?"


"Nope," my friend said. "There's no one to call."


Can you imagine suddenly being locked up and having absolutely no family to call? 


Yesterday, we had a combination birthday celebration/baby shower at the Manna House. Charles, who started coming to our mobile meals to eat almost two years ago, was at the party, because he's always at the Manna House these days, sweeping floors, singing songs, and washing dishes. As we all ate cake, he proudly showed me his name tag, which read "Manna Family Member" instead of "Volunteer."


"Ya'll are my family," he said.


"I'm so happy we're your family," I said, "but do you understand that you're our family, too?"


Charles was taken aback. "I am???"


"Of course you are. We're your family, and you're our family." Charles flashed a million-dollar smile and walked away with a bounce in his step.


That's the thing about serving others. You might think they need you--and to a point, of course it's true. But then one day you realize that your life has intertwined with theirs, and there's no "undoing" it. Even as you were becoming family to them, they were doing the same for you. They've taken up residence in your heart and you need them just as much as they need you.


And maybe even more so.