The Hungry People

Today was yet another soccer Saturday. S was not allowed to play due to her recent use of her ear as a soccer goal. The other two played and won their games. Their teams really worked together today. Really nice to watch.

As it happens every April, our Sunday school class was in charge of our church's Open Door Community Meal. This meal was originally created to unite all walks of life at church for a devotion, music and some free dinner. In more recent years, it has become more of a meal for those lonely or less fortunate...people who may not know where their next meal is coming from. "The Hungry People" as the boy says. Until our girls went to public school, they really didn't understand the "hungry people" concept. When you've never had to wonder where your next meal is coming from, it is hard to understand being truly hungry. As soon as they were old enough, we let them participate by rolling silverware or putting placemats on the tables. Then they graduated to taking drinks to the tables or bringing a plate of dessert. Once they went to school, they were shocked to find out that classmates only got food when they went to school or they shoved rolls and ketchup packets in their pockets to take home. Absolutely heartbreaking. This event has become one of their favorite activities at church. They love the preparation, the serving, the interaction with the guests, the good feelings that accompany selflessness. So you can imagine the moaning and gnashing of teeth when they found out they were staying home this time to help Daddy with his bad back. While the reaction got somewhat annoying after a while, as a parent it warmed my sometimes jaded heart to know how much they enjoyed serving. We can preach and throw scripture and big words and complicated theology at people until we are spent. These things are important, but when scripture is shown to our children by loving and serving those less fortunate, they get it and it sticks.

Thank God for the "Hungry People" and what they have taught me and my family. It brings me to my knees when I realize how blessed we are and how we forget to be thankful.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad