On Becoming a Shelter

This afternoon while taking my coffee for the mid afternoon break, I saw five little birds (mayas) sitting on top of our air-conditioning unit outside of the window.  It was a stormy afternoon as Typhoon "Basyang" took a landfall in the north.  The little birds were all wet and it seems that the heat generated by the motor of the air-conditioning unit served their need for heat.  I was amused and I took pity on the birds.  I thought I would take a photo of them.  But I did not want to scare them with the flash so I simply leave them.  But as I sat on my desk I began to reflect on how trouble some is life on earth.  We have troubles, trials and tribulations.  Often the best charity we can offer our neighbors in need are our love and care.  Like those little birds, there are hundreds of souls out there suffering.  They need shelter from the storm, they the heat of love and tender loving care, a place to hide themselves from the storm.  Are we ready to be a shelter for our neighbors in need?  Let us do works of mercy by making our lives shelter for others.  Kind words and encouragement may indeed suffice.  But when we give and give until it hurts that is the test of the fullness of our love for our neighbors.