Walking

It’s been two years since I first met her and her grandson. We talk just about every Saturday. A lot of times, he comes with her when she comes to see us. He runs all around that place like he owns it. I think he does that everywhere. He is only six years old, has an electric smile, and will talk until you are tired of listening and then some. Grandma has a soft spirit, very sweet, extremely humble, and tired...really tired. But no matter, one thing is really clear, she loves that little boy. Even when she is worn out, she keeps on and she will always tell me, “He is a good boy.” I always confirm, “Yes ma’am. He is. And he has a good grandma.” I think she needs to hear it. It keeps her going. 

Yesterday I watched her as she came out at the end of our distribution line. She rolled that buggy out the door, hot chocolate in hand, groceries loaded down, smiling as she always is, regardless of her circumstances. Life has just taught some people how to be content. As she heads to the car, I walk over to join her. 

My desire is for us to walk alongside the people we serve. We could just give them a box of food. We could pre-pack boxes and have people pull in and pick them up. Sure would make life a lot simpler. But that would make our priority giving out food, not caring about people. I tell people all the time, “It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. It’s the Spirit you do it with.” And the way we want to do it is by coming alongside people, hearing them, understanding them, supporting them...maybe making life just a little bit better. 

Jesus fed the people because the Bible says He had compassion on them. He looked out and saw sheep without a shepherd. And I picture Him, you know feeding the 5,000, and actually talking to them, encouraging them, hugging them, smiling at them, laughing with them, and teaching them. You know, walking along side of them. 

So I walked with my friend yesterday. We chatted on the way to her car. We talked about her grandson. We talked about her holiday season. I asked about her family and she asked about mine. I helped her load the car and I put my arm around her to pray as is our custom, when she laid her head on my shoulder and totally started praying for me. She just beat me to it, stole my moment. 

“Father, I just want to thank you for this man and these people at this place. They have been there for me and supported me. And, I am just so grateful to be able to come here because you use this place to lift my spirit and encourage me. And You are doing so much through this place and people like me need it and I am just asking You to keep on blessing this man and these people and don’t let them get discouraged because we need them to keep doing what they are doing. Father, I love this man and I love these people and I just want You to know it and to say thank You this morning for it. Amen.”

And that moment was so honest and sincere. I could tell it by the way the words just rolled off her tongue. She had prayed that prayer before. I just hadn’t heard that prayer before. And I was so proud in that moment because I realized that we have done our job. Mission accomplished. I was so honored. It was very humbling. 

My wife says all the time that the greatest lesson we have learned is that it’s not about the food. Yesterday proved her right. She didn’t thank God for the bread, or the milk, the eggs, or the sandwich meat that will make her grandson’s lunch all week. She thanked Him for the support, encouragement, and the love. She thanked Him for the people who are willing to walk alongside her. It’s not what you do, it’s the way you do it. She feels loved, supported, and she knows that the glory goes to God, not to man. As we say, “Prayer, love, food...in that order.” Good job team. 

I stopped what I was doing yesterday to walk alongside her for just a moment. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t much. It took maybe seven minutes of my day. But the way those moments make her feel is powerful, life changing. The amount of food she left with may not completely change her situation...it might ease a burden or two. But the perspective that the experience offers on the way she sees her life...that is life changing. And what’s really cool is this, I stopped to walk alongside her yesterday and I found out that she was walking alongside me too. 

And I think that is why Paul wrote, “If I give all I possess to the poor...but do not have love, I gain nothing.” The milk and eggs aren’t the answer. They are only a piece of the answer. The answer is love. And when you love, love comes back, just the way you need it to. Because regardless of our physical situation, all of us need someone to walk alongside of us, love us, and support us, pray for us. Prayer, love, food...in that order. Always.