The Weary By My Apartment

When I hear something three time or see it three times I feel compelled to write about it.  Today was the third time I saw this person sleeping outside my apartment.  The first time it was on the sidewalk between my car and a building on quite a cold night.  The second time was this morning across the street by the church which is pictured here.  The third time was later today.  The words that crossed my mind when I saw this person each time were “Jesus Refuge of the Weary.”

I grew up with this hymn during Lent, and it was one of the first one I learned to play on the piano.  Lenten services have always been special for me - being in the church after dark, a quieter time, a contemplative time.  I love these words from the hymn:  "Yet Your sinless death has brought us life eternal, peace, and rest.“  

To sleep outside on a cold night with a box for a blanket must mean this person was very weary, tired and in need of rest

Yet Your sinless death has brought us

Life eternal, peace, and rest;

.  When I’m my tiredest I don’t know that I could sleep as this person did.  It would be great to hear their story and learn from them.  Possibly one day.

In the meantime I’m thankful for the reminder of this old (16th century) hymn and the reminder that Jesus is our refuge.  May you feel the peace Jesus gives.