A Warmth Stolen | Will You Be The Hands Of Christ This Winter 

A Warmth Stolen: An Invitation to Be the Hands of Christ This Winter

The air has a new bite to it these mornings, doesn’t it? That sharp, clear cold that whispers of the winter to come. For most of us, it’s a signal to dig out our cozy sweaters, check the furnace, and look forward to the warmth of holiday gatherings. We feel the chill for a moment on the walk to the car, then quickly step back into the embrace of central heating.

But for a woman named Sarah, that same cold is a source of deep dread. I met Sarah last week, huddled on a bench as the sun began its early descent. Her story is one of those quiet, devastating injustices that happens in the shadows of our bustling lives.

Last winter, Sarah survived the cruel months because of one crucial possession: a thick, weathered sleeping bag. It was her shelter, her cocoon, her barrier against the freezing concrete. She called it her “warmth,” and it was the difference between a night of shivering misery and a few hours of desperately needed rest.

Then, during a city sweep of the homeless encampment where she was staying, it was taken. Along with tents and tarps and meager belongings, her sleeping bag was gathered up and discarded. The system, in its rush to “clean up,” unintentionally stripped away her primary source of warmth and safety. Now, with winter’s approach feeling more like a threat each day, she faces the freezing temperatures with nothing but the layers on her back.

My heart broke hearing this. It’s a story of compounded hardship—first the pain of homelessness, then the indignity of having your last shred of comfort taken away. Yet, in talking with Sarah, I didn’t just hear despair. I witnessed a resilient spirit, a woman who has endured more than I can imagine and still maintains a quiet, stubborn hope.

The Biblical Call to Provide Warmth

This situation isn’t just a social issue; it’s a deeply spiritual one. Scripture is not silent on our responsibility to those who are cold and exposed.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus speaks with stunning clarity: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)

When the righteous ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or naked?,” Jesus replies, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

This is our everyday, practical calling. We encounter Christ in the face of those in need. Providing a sleeping bag for Sarah isn’t just charity; it is an act of worship. It is literally wrapping the warmth of God’s love around one of His cherished children. It is saying to her, “You are seen. You matter. You are not forgotten.”

The Old Testament echoes this call from the prophets. In the book of Isaiah, we are commanded: “...to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them…” (Isaiah 58:7)

This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a directive. It’s a call to practical, tangible action. Providing warmth is a fundamental part of our faith walk. It is how we make God’s love visible in a world that can often feel very cold.

An Invitation to Our Shared Mission

Hearing Sarah’s story, you might feel that familiar ache—the desire to help but the uncertainty of how. The need can feel so vast. But today, the pathway is simple and clear. We have a very specific, tangible need: to get Sarah a new, high-quality, cold-weather sleeping bag.

We can be the answer to a prayer she may not even have the strength to utter. We can be the hands and feet of Jesus, delivering warmth and hope directly to her.

This is the heart of my advocacy work: connecting stories like Sarah’s with a community of people who care, turning compassion into action, and meeting practical needs with God’s love.

If her story has moved you, I warmly invite you to join me in this mission. There is no pressure, only an open door. Here are a few ways you can help, each one a beautiful and meaningful act of love:

· Pray: Please pray for Sarah’s safety, warmth, and spirit. Pray for her protection and for her heart to feel God’s unwavering presence. Pray that she feels seen and loved not just by us, but by her Heavenly Father.

· Share: Share this post. You never know who in your network might be feeling called to help. Sharing spreads the invitation wider and strengthens our circle of compassion.

· Give: If you feel led, you can contribute directly toward a new sleeping bag and other winter survival items for Sarah. Every single dollar brings tangible warmth. (I will be purchasing the items personally and delivering them directly to her).

This isn’t about a transaction; it’s about transformation. It’s about replacing desperation with dignity, and cold with compassion. It’s about building a community where no one has to face the winter’s chill alone.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for being a part of this circle of hope.

With gratitude and warmth,