This morning I drove in about 8:45. There were cars everywhere at the back lot and even about ten in the front lot. My first thought was "what is happening today that I have forgot?" Then I realized that it was cars for the unemployment office.
It crossed my mind, what if we had an event where would we park? Then I thought, what if I did not have a job and some big ugly preacher told me I couldn't park in his church's lot? That would be kicking people while they are down. Then I thought if we have the power to be negative, we also have the power to be positive.
Cecilia and I whipped up and made copies of the following note:
"We at First ARP Church are glad you could use our parking lot today. If you are looking for a job, we pray that you might find one very soon! May you look to Christ for support that will never end!
'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.' Jeremiah 29:11"
I was able to place these on the windshield of over 60 cars in our lot. I spoke to several people as I did this. One very nice lady stopped and thanked us for taking the time to say an encouraging word. Another man stopped and tried to give me two dollars. He said he went to church in Van Wyck and while they didn't have much, he was always willing to give to the Lord. He welled up and cried for a moment in the parking lot. We often think that loving strangers is really hard and in some cases it can be. Often, however, all we have to do is acknowledge their pain, their suffering, their needs.
This world is full of people who are hurting who do not have the family structure, the church, and the relationship with Christ to draw support from like we do.
Join with me today and pray for these folks that they might get a job. Pray also for their souls that God will reveal his grace in Jesus to them.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16
Kyle
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
