Having Heart In A Sometimes Heartless World
Day 72 - Loving the helpless is a God thing
Scripture focus: "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God." Luke 8:11 NIV
"When we treat each other with value, when we care for each other, when we love, we experience the presence of God. More powerful than any data or doctrine, love is the proof of God our souls long for." Soul Cravings, by Erwin McManus, entry 20 INTIMACY
On Saturday evenings a relatively small group of folks gather for a celebration service and small groups. We're a loosey-goosey kind of organism (calling ourselves an organization would be giving us way to much credit). Some nights we have a few refreshments - we ALWAYS have coffee; we usually have soda. Sometimes we have music; sometimes we do not. We usually start, but rarely on time. Get the picture?
The sad woman with the three hungry kids just "happened" to find us and I just "happened" to be near the door when she wandered in the building. It just so "happened" that all was quiet and I had a few minutes to hear her story. (I had no idea her kids were sitting out in the car unsupervised.) I listened to her list of needs: electricity and food and maybe one small reason to hope. But I heard more than her spoken requests for material things. I sensed her profound need for power (God's mighty strength to do immeasurably more for her than she could dare hope for) and sustenance (springs of living water and the bread of life - food that fills not only the belly but the soul.) But before we could address such other-worldly concerns, we had to fill up some tummies.
I suggested we head toward our worship center and grab a cup of coffee (as I prayed, "Please, Lord, I hope the hospitality team is a bit early tonight!"). She mentioned that her kids had been sitting out in the car while we talked. "Go get them. We can't leave them out in the cold!" Off she trotted. (Again, I prayed, "Please, Lord, let there be enough workers so that we can accept her kids into our children's ministry tonight!") Soon the quiet preparations underway for that night's service were interrupted by three rowdy preschoolers and their pent up emotions.
Here's where the story gets really good. As I walked into the large room, I immediately noticed more than coffee and cookies on the refreshment table. Tonight, our guests were going to get a full course meal. Lasagna and bread, salad and desserts sat proudly beside hot coffee. Several of our children's ministry teachers were already standing in the back of the room - how did they know to come so early? Soon these chilly children were warm inside and out - filled with yummy food and surrounded by grown-ups who get what it feels like to not have the luxury of taking food, shelter and caring adults for granted.
"The seed is the word of God." On many days it falls on rocky paths, gets eaten by birds, dies from a lack of moisture or falters as it is overcome by weeds - but not all days. Sometimes the seed takes root in the heart of the desperate. Those seeds not only take hold - they flourish. This is a messy process, with many setbacks along the way. But the word of God is a powerful force - and it finds a way. It drowns out the compulsion of cravings, and fills the heart of the desperately devoted with a compelling call to action - to bring hot food, show up for the sake of little children, set up chairs and make sure the electric bill is paid so the community can gather in a warm place.
Recommended reading: Numbers 17 and 18 in the morning; Mark 16 and Psalm 55 in the evening
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