Two weeks ago I was having lunch with a friend. I expressed to him how I felt like we needed to "do" more then we say. How we needed to take words and put action to them. How we needed to stop living in a bubble but get out there and reach the city in a real and relevant way. Many people have these same sort of thoughts, ideas, and passions but that is all they remain.
So last night (Friday), we decided to go do. We loaded our trunk with 20+ loaves of bread (thanks to Hyvee!), 5 gallons of coffee (thanks to Dennys!), and coffee containers (thanks to Panera!). Along with the coffee and bread we also carried a few bags of shoes with us.
Then, we hit the streets.
Literally.
We walked around asking people if they would like a cup of coffee and a loaf or two of bread. We went downtown, to the trailer park, and finally to an apartment building most people avoid completely.
We had no agenda. We weren't shoving Bibles in peoples faces. We weren't doing it to get a happy feeling. We came merely to love and to serve.
People couldn't understand why. It was unfathomable to them.
Is there so little love in our world today that simple acts such as ours are considered so outlandish?
There is something wrong with this.
I'm not writing this to praise what we did - or to give the glory to us - because that is not the point. The point is - we took a pinch of time, a few donations, and love to the streets - and this small effort had a big impact.
We didn't need to come forcing Jesus - He showed up all on his own. And now, a recovering drug addict, a deaf man, a homeless person from Nashville, and an older gentlemen no longer contemplating suicide are coming to church on Sunday to learn more about Jesus and his love.
Romans 13:8 - Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Proverbs 10:12 - Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.
Jesus, show us how to love and serve those around us better. Give us eyes to see your children as you see them.
In Him,
Samantha
This is great! A super practical way to go out and do ministry. Something hands on that encourages the body, as well as those who need to become the body. It is challenging both corporately as well as personally. It is encouraging to see another blogger too! Nice job Samantha, it came straight from the heart.
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