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.
Lisa, that was a wonderful story and you have a wonderful heart. Your experience turned out to be a delightful one. As we reach out the way you did, it stretches us and is, in the beginning, uncomfortable. We take a risk. These men, as you discovered, are simply people, people God loves and they are not so “different” from us, they all have their own stories and they are profoundly memorable. Thank you for your service to them and to so many others, both inside our church and beyond. You are a true servant, Lisa. You are a treasure and I can sure tell you were “raised right”! 🙂
Lisa you have such a wonderful servants heart. Isn’t it funny that we usually are the ones blessed when we think we will bring a blessing.
Thanks for sharing, Lisa. You are awesome. You could certainly write another story about your in-home hair services to the elderly and ill that you offer. Thanks for your service to so many, including our family!!