Serving "Here" is just as important as Serving "There"

-
While hanging out at Loomis Basin Brewery on a Friday night a few weeks back, a friend of Randy’s daughter said to me: “You guys restore my faith in humanity.”

It felt odd.

Because to us we aren’t doing anything spectacular.

We simply went where God told us to go.

And frankly it hasn’t felt like we’re even serving anyone here in Baja these 10 months. More often than not it feels like we're just waiting to be useful. 

But it did feel like we were serving when we were at a gas station in Lodi, California, and a woman and her daughter asked us for a dollar so they could get enough gas to get home. We didn’t have a single dollar. But we did have a credit card. So Randy pumped $6 worth of gas for them. They were embarrassed, humbled, and grateful.
And it did feel like serving when we arrived in Bishop, California, to discover that hotel after hotel was all full. And finally we landed at a hotel that had one vacancy. As I filled out the paperwork a woman came in behind me looking for a room. The desk clerk pointed at me and said I took the last one. “We’ve been driving and driving,” the woman said, near tears. The room that we’d been given was actually a two-bedroom apartment, so I said, “You are welcome to stay with us.” She looked at her husband who nodded, looked back at me and said, “Okay, thank you.”

These methods of serving came natural to us after being “home” for a week, where repeatedly friends and family loved and served and shared with us. Randy’s daughter provided us with a place to stay for the week, even though she was busy getting kids ready for school to start. We were invited into the homes (and backyards!) of friends Tony & Juli, Chris & Katie, Debbie & Chuck, Paul & Denise, Rick & Deena… into the work spaces of Popie Winery and Al’s metal shop and Dora’s RVs… out to lunch with Dave & Pam, Ed & Gail… to the wedding of James and Shawnna... given pounds of free coffee and a case of wine… free dog care… the list goes on and on. Our love tanks were full and they overflowed onto the strangers we met along the road “home.”

It might look like packing up your life and moving to an orphanage in Mexico is bigger or more important than meeting the needs in your own backyard. But more and more we are seeing that serving and sharing and faithfulness isn’t about what’s “over there”, it’s about what’s “here” in front of you, wherever you are.

So thank you. Thank you to all the friends and family who made time and space for us on our trip to California. You all loved us well.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

names

-
Image
Yesterday my sermon was about the importance of names. Matthew 1 begins with a list of names, the genealogy of Jesus. Mark 1 begins with baptism, when our name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Luke 1 begins with an angel telling Zechariah he would have a son, to be named John. And John 1 says "In the beginning...", reminding us of Genesis when God called things into creation, named them, and gave Adam his first assignment--to name all the animals. And because we are celebrating Jesus' birthday this week, we talked about His all important name. Jesus, which means "God saves." And Immanuel, "God is with us." Not "for" us. But "with" us. Dwelling among us. Walking the earth. Filling our hearts. I also shared that Katie means "pure". A name I've always been intimidated by. A name I never thought I could live up to. But through this year of self-exploration, of embracing fears and family and lessons ...
Read more

No Purpose in Pie Town

-
Image
Life is always changing. Sometimes it feels like a long process, sometimes it happens in an instant, and other times it just sneaks right up on you. A year ago, Randy and I were in the middle of nowhere ( Pie Town, New Mexico ), 100 percent sure that it was our next move. His mom was told she only had 6 months to live , so our plan was to care for her in her final days. During our visit, I envisioned putting my office in the loft. And already anticipated being irritated by the television and phone calls and visitors below. Randy made up the plans to convert the garage into a master suite for us. We even picked out our flooring. I researched getting certified to teach at the local elementary school and Randy had scoped out the local diner where he planned to "sling hash." We were excited about the hiking and bouldering opportunities in the area and even bought special shoes. But as the months passed by, mom seemed to be as stubborn and healthy as ever. An...
Read more

shortcomings

-
Image
I am a terrible housekeeper. I never remember to dust and I haven't seen my kitchen table in months. Yes I do eat at said table. And if you want to join me you are welcome to put your plate on a book or magazine of your choice. I have zero willpower. Every 3 months for 10 days I do a "cleanse" and only eat lean meat, fruits, and vegetables. I am yet to make it to day 5 without cheating. I am very wasteful. I waste everything. Everything. I had never heard of Saint Nicholas Day until yesterday (even though Wikipedia says it is popular in Cincinnati). And it sounds really scary. Kids getting butchered (on a similar note, did you hear they are going to make a movie out of the books Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark ?). Demons kidnapping naughty children. Giving presents to unmarried women who "need" to find a husband. (Maybe it's not such a shortcoming to have neglected to put my shoes outside Thursday night.) Typically when we talk about shortcomings ...
Read more