time to sign up to help again

“The first busload is here!” someone yelled from the kitchen. Randall grabbed the dishes of eggs and pancakes from the oven where they were being kept warm, and put the sausage in. There was a frenzy as everyone rushed to get food, dishes, and utensils on the serving table. Four of us stood behind the table, ready for the crowd with prongs in hand. It was my youth group’s turn to feed dinner to the homeless people who were spending nights at our church that week.
I was unexpectedly nervous. Would all of the people be druggies or alcoholics? How should I act around them? The first group began slowly streaming in. I was surprised. Though some of them were tattooed up and down, and wore chains and blue eyeliner, others wore simple jeans and t-shirts. Many of them I could not have picked out of a crowd. As I served each one a generous spoonful of eggs, I became more and more comfortable. Every person had his/her own unique personality. They seemed more similar to me than I would ever have imagined.
When we had finished serving everyone, I had a chance to sit down and get to know some of the people. After that night, the people I served would not just be “homeless people” anymore. They were Louis, with all of his tie-dye and tattoos; Anthony, the great lumbering bear whose persona filled the entire church, masking his inner self; and Michael, who could one day be the nicest guy in the world, and the next could be so high, he could not even remember the people he met the day prior. These homeless peoples are not just a statistic to me anymore. They were real people with feelings and substance and names.
Though I was only able to impact those I served in a small way, their impact on me was even greater. It was enough reward for me to see the smiles on people’s faces and their temporary release from hunger. It is extremely fulfilling to be able to serve another human being. Now when I see the homeless on the streets there is no need to avert my eyes. I can smile and call each by name.
--Molly G.

Great Day

I am reminded that one of the reasons I started this God-Spotter blog was to identify when God shows up in my life. Our worship yesterday was one of those times. We all met together. People witnessed regarding the impact of CUMC on their lives. We brought new people into membership in our congregation. Folks who had been gone returned. The enthusiasm for God and love of God was palable as we celebrated, remembered and said thank you. It is great to be the pastor of this church.
plou