In Need

Two weekends ago I took part in a food distribution downtown Knoxville at Beaumont Elementary School. Over 200 volunteers from Faith Promise arrived in the early morning dark to begin preparation for 400 families receiving boxes of food, toiletries and household supplies. We anxiously ran around setting up tables and lining up boxes, trying to keep warm as frigid wind blew right through us.

You know, there’s something wonderful about working side by side with other Christ followers, esp. when doing something that makes you feel really good inside! There’s also something wonderful, and humbling, about spending time in the presence of those who are in need.

I could tell you many stories about the people who showed up for help that day. The little boy with eyes so blue, so full of sorrow, that I don’t think I’ll ever forget him. Both the little boy and his daddy had filthy clothes and looked as if they hadn’t had much to eat in a very long time. Or the lady with two teeth that smiled and said she’d really like to have my sweat suit when I’m finished with it! Over a cup of hot chocolate she shared about a pregnant mom who slept on her floor for a couple of weeks so she wouldn’t be outside with her toddler. Another declared she was just sick of drug dealers knocking on her door every night.

I could go on with stories. Many others there walked these folks to their homes as the boxes were kind of heavy. They saw and heard stories of hunger and need that left all of us overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with a desire to help and overwhelmed with thankfulness for our own situations.

I’m thankful that as a church we didn’t just go down there for a one time get in and get out feel good time. We have many in that school every week investing in kid’s lives as big brothers and sisters. We’ve adopted Beaumont as a church so we will continue to have a presence there, meeting needs as we can. I just keep thinking about the many, many faces that came through that cold parking lot that Saturday morning. So much need. I don’t want to just feel good that I helped out one time. We all have so much in comparison. Really what I want is to make sure I really am living as Jesus did, out there in the world, face to face with those who need Him, who need us, not huddled in church just looking out for us.