Go to Nineveh!

Go to Nineveh. That was the challenge.  Do something, something a little outside your comfort zone.  This was the challenge posed to the awesome ladies I have the privilege of hanging out with every Wednesday evening.  We were doing a study on Jonah and we were challenged to step outside our safe little bubbles and do something for someone else.  After weeks of ideas, prayer and deliberation we decided to partner with a ministry that serves the homeless in Minneapolis.

As a group we decided that we would make 200 meals to deliver to the homeless in Minneapolis. A few days before we were to make our trip, the leader of the organization In Love, Word and Deed talked to me about gathering some coats. She told me that on her last visit they had to turn many away without a coat. She thought they turned away as many as 100 people. A huge shadow of doubt cast over my heart. How in the world would we gather enough coats to make a difference in only a few short days? We talked about it the Wednesday before and as a group we decided we would do the best we could to spread the word and let God do the rest.  And WOW does He love to work in those situations. On the day we gathered to go the kids counted the coats they came to a final tally, 46 men’s coats and 41 women’s coats. I was impressed but then one of the girl’s noticed a pile behind the boxes and there laid 13 more coats. 100 COATS!

We pulled up to a shelter downtown Minneapolis and began to unload our boxes to set up on tables. I could NOT believe how quickly people began to line up. There were men and women of every race and every age.  People began to pour in.  There were enough ladies at the tables so I just began to walk around the room, taking in the situation. I noticed a man asleep across some folding chairs. A couple sat holding hands in the back corner of the room. I began to see the faces. These were people, real people with emotion, stories, thoughts and cares….. just like me.  Growing up my mom used to always say to me “Remember every person is someone’s sister or son or daughter.” I have always tried to see people through that lens. This time though, it was different the people standing before me weren’t just someone’s brother or daughter. They were me.  If I am honest with myself I recognize that I have made many mistakes and took many wrong turns. I am fortunate to have family and friends who have helped when I have needed it, who have loved me and carried me through but where would I be without them?

The truth is we are all just a few choices or a different childhood or a death or a job loss away.  Aren’t we? One man I talked with told me about his childhood with 7 brothers and 4 sisters and his parents who weren’t really parents at all. I silently wonder, why not me? As his story unfolded I began to recall the many, many blessings I have been given.  Not because I deserved them, not because I earned them. In fact I still have no reason to explain them.  No reason other than grace.

I was challenged to go and make a difference for someone else.  I am not sure that happened but I know for sure they made a difference to me. 

I will be going back. I will bring more coats and God will provide them. I will again be reminded of my many blessings and the unearned grace that has been given to me. I will see people not only as someone’s loved one but as myself.  I am no better, no different, no more loved and no more worthy of God’s love.