Wasted Welcomes

Bobby walks in the door of Manna for the early meal. His eyes have a far-away look, and when we greet him he doesn't respond. Bobby goes through peaks and valleys with his mental illness. Sometimes he's responsive and will share pieces of his life. Other times he shuts down, indicating that he needs to be left alone.

We never know how Bobby will be feeling, but we continue to welcome him in the same opening manner. Some would argue that we're wasting our time with the likes Bobby. Even though most of the folks that come to Manna are friendly and open, he and others like him can be distant and at times off-putting.

We continually remind ourselves, however, that every day there is the opportunity to break through, to show people that we care, to demonstrate to them that we are here for them, for the long haul, no matter what...