"Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." ~ 1
Samuel 3:9
A new day’s come, new
possibilities, a fresh page yet to be written.
Bill waited eagerly outside Sweetwater’s for his usual donuts. Since he retired from the police force 21
years ago, he’s been collecting day-old pastries from local businesses and
delivering them to the local homeless shelter.
Breads, muffins, bagels, and doughnuts might not be the most
nutritious meal. But efforts to recover
outdated food from places like hotel and restaurant buffets have failed due to health,
liability and manpower issues.
It wasn’t the solution to the problem, but the residents were
grateful for any sustenance in the wake of ever-decreasing program funding. So Bill does what he can, knowing that reaching
out to others, being the hands and feet of Jesus, is one of the greatest
callings we have in our faith.
The baker greeted Bill and helped him lift several dozen boxes
of day-old donuts into his van. As an
unexpected wave of nostalgia washed over him, he recalled these same tasty
treats as a child.
Life seemed simpler then – healthier diets, friendlier neighborhoods,
safer streets. We had less technology,
fewer regulations, less lawsuits. We
could run faster and work harder.
In the good old days he was one only a handful of police
officers in Battle Creek. Citizens valued
them. Even most of the criminals did. Those who didn't - feared the police. Cops were the heartbeat of the community.
Today that trust and respect has vanished. People tend to have such unrealistic
expectations of what law enforcement officials can do. They tend to underestimate criminal threats
and why the use of deadly force is sometimes necessary. This city seems so foreign now.
He wondered what had prompted this retrospection.
Like He sometimes does, God interrupted and put another
thought in Bill’s brain. He made a quick
U-turn and headed straight for the Police Department.
The approached the Police Chief offering a hearty
handshake. “Chief, could you spare an
officer to make my delivery today instead?”
The Chief smiled. “I
believe we can make that happen.”
Can you imagine what it must have been like when one of BC’s
finest rolled up with boxes of donuts for these sometimes forgotten people?
Accessing God’s grace and voice may include slowing down and
giving Him our full attention without distractions. When the next opportunity to serve comes
along, shoot up the prayer, "Lord, is this something you want me to
do?"
As Saint Teresa once said, “Love has no meaning by itself -
it has to be put into action.” Never be
too afraid busy to lend a hand or share encouragement so that others can see
Jesus through you.
“Lord God Almighty, thank You for once again
taking this limited brain of mine and using it to perhaps lesson the burden of
others, if only for a moment, amen. ~
Bill C
