Cynthia Williams Pastor

On a cold March morning, Miriam, a retired teacher, walked to the local shelter where she volunteered. Though the wind was harsh, her heart remained warm she believed deeply in helping those in need.

That same day, Jamal, a young man recently homeless after losing his job, walked into the shelter for the first time. Quiet and withdrawn, he sat in the corner, unsure of what to expect.

Miriam noticed him right away. With a gentle smile, she offered him a warm bowl of soup and sat beside him. No judgment, no questions just presence.

Over time, Jamal opened up. He spoke of grief, lost stability, and the burden of shame. Miriam listened with compassion and reminded him, “You are not alone. We aren’t meant to carry our burdens alone.”

Their bond grew. Miriam helped Jamal find job support, while Jamal began volunteering serving meals, sweeping floors, even leading a small prayer group. One evening, he told her, “I thought faith lived in the mind, but now I see it lives in what we do for others.”

Together, they became a living example of what shared faith and compassion can do transform lives, restore dignity, and remind us that we’re never truly alone.