remember when she walked in. Mom walked around the serving station to greet her. When Mom came back I asked her if she knew her. “No,” she replied, “I just loved her smile.”
I would later learn her name was Ms. Marie. She was known for her legendary fried apple pies.
Mom started eating with her every time she would come in. One day she was searching frantically for something. Once Mom got her to calm down, she said she couldn’t find the money she wanted to give us for her meals. Mom explained that her company was payment enough and all of our meals are free.
Ms. Marie reach into her pocket and pulled out six cents. It may seem like nothing to some, but to us, it meant everything because in that moment, it was everything she had. She gave us her best and her last. For the last six years we have used the saying “six cents” whenever we grow weary.
Running a soup kitchen isn’t easy. There are days when we are exhausted, but then Jesus sends us something or someone to thank us for giving Him our “six cents.”