Have you ever been in a situation where an act of service kinda seemed small or unimportant, but the outcome meant so much to somebody? Yeah, I’m sitting on the tail end of the latter. Words are hard to describe where I am after what I experienced today.
I realized something was up when I started getting emails and phone calls from people regarding helping me get things done. I wasn’t aware of it at first, but my bride sent out an emergency email to our community of faith, and they responded. One gentleman (a Master Organizer) put together an event within our congregation to help me out in my packing and moving process – and boy did I need it! It wasn’t that I didn’t want help, it was more that I didn’t know HOW the help could help.
Several people came over after church and not only helped me organize what was still here, but this community of faith brought over food, helped sort, helped pack, helped sell! I never could imagine that so much could be done in so little time! Overwhelming! Absolutely overwhelming!
There’s a man in this congregation (he wasn’t part of this group) who I greatly respect and look up to. He’s a big fan of Mother Teresa. One of his favorite quotes from Mother Teresa says, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can all do small things with great love.”
That’s exactly what happened today! It was a small thing for many of them to come out here and partake in this endeavor. It was probably a small thing to drop off some food, or packing tape, or spend a few hours leading, or a few hours numbering bins, etc. But it was the amazing amount of love and generosity that was shown that blew me away.
I mean, I know these people. I know their loving hearts and kindness. That’s why I’m in community with them. But I’m not usually on this end of it! I’m usually the one serving right there with them.
This truly increases my understanding of how important it is to receive help and service and love if you are going to give it. This truth is something I’ve been working on for a few years. It’s always been easy for me to give of myself, but to receive help has always been difficult. But if God wants give a blessing through someone else, who am I tell Him, “No, that’s OK. I’ve got it.” How egotistical and selfish is that?!
During these last few days, I’ll be getting out of my apartment and moving in with a family from this same community of faith. I am excited to receive this blessing, and hope my gratitude can been conveyed well. There’s still a lot to do over the next couple of days to get out of here, but I’m so much closer now than I was this morning. And I’m more overwhelmed with love than I’ve been in a long time!
