By Lisa Maas
When asked to serve the homeless men several years ago by cutting their hair, I had to give it some thought. That first year I was asked, I said “no.” To tell you the truth, I was afraid. I did not know these men. What if they had dirty hair? What if they were “crazy”? What would I talk about?
Boy, was I wrong!
When Don asked me again the following year, I felt I needed to say “yes,” and I sure am glad that I did.
I gave 17 haircuts the first night. The last man came in at 10:30 p.m. as I was cleaning up. He had just gotten off work, yep, work! I asked him if he would like a haircut. He said, “Oh no, it’s too late for you.”
There was no way that I was going home with one haircut not done! This man was one of the nicest people I had ever met in my life.
To tell you the truth, I was afraid. I did not know these men. What if they had dirty hair? What if they were “crazy”?
All of the men that night were so appreciative of my service to them, I felt ashamed that I’d been so nervous. I went home feeling more blessed than I ever have in my life. I must say that that night was one of the best nights I’ve ever had.
Two weeks passed, and Don gave me a letter. It was from that very last man whose hair I cut. He wanted to thank me; it meant so much to him that I was willing to stay for him. I cried when I read the letter. This kind man is now employed and has his own apartment!
The next year when Don asked me if I was available, I said “yes” in a heartbeat. I only did 13 haircuts; some guys were bald, and I didn’t have a shining cloth! There were two men I knew from the previous year. We talked a lot about how the past year had been. I was so surprised that they remembered my stories, even asking about my kids!
Every man has a story, and they are very willing to share it. You just have to ask. Every man either has or had a family; you just have to ask about them. Every man is God’s child, homeless or not.
Not one man was rude, dirty, scary, mean, or unworthy. Just the opposite! I have never been thanked so much in my life.
Not one man was rude, dirty, scary, mean, or unworthy.
This experience has humbled me beyond words. It’s not that I thought I was better than them; I just didn’t know them. Praise God for the opportunities He gives us to reach out and show some of His love.
