September 16 – “And then what?”

We don’t always get to hear back from the people we help.  Here is one case in which we did.  A bit of background first.  One of our Seasiders, Sharon, often takes her granddaughter Elena to the Palm Beach water play area at Moody Gardens.  As five-years-olds often do, Elena made friends with another youngster and the two became regular water park playmates.  And that meant Sharon and the youngster’s mother became water park friends, talking together as the kids splashed in the water. 

After Hurricane Harvey hit, Sharon made a call and checked on her water park friend.  She arranged to take them some supplies.  And while on that supply delivery visit she also met the mom’s sister.  Her house was also flooded, and she needed some help as well.  Sharon made a phone call to make the request. 

About that I was fielding a series of messages from Servant of Nations Church in Houston, a group that has stayed in Seaside’s retreat center.  Seems they had a group of folks from out of town who were wanting to do some work helping a family.  They were wondering if I knew of any place.  Doesn’t take long for the need to meet headlong with the provision when the Holy Spirit is involved in the process.  The group was sent out and the work was done. 

Now that’s usually as far as the story goes in cases like this.  We don’t often get - or need – feedback from the folks we are able to help.  But in this case, Sharon was involved.  In her gift of hospitality mode, she followed up on the situation and spoke with the recipient on the phone.  Here are some of Sharon’s words: “She was sobbing with gratitude towards the group that came and helped her today.  She was overwhelmed by their love, their praying for her, and generosity to her.”  Later she added, “Her sister also called me to thank us for sending help.  She said she hardly knew us but felt that we were family sent to her.  I expect to have opportunities to get to know the family better and share our faith more as I do.  Very sweet ladies.  I will be going to check on them.”  And then, “So thankful we made the connection for her help.  Thank you.” 

No, Sharon.  Thank you.  It was your heart for ministry and openness to the Holy Spirit long before the need arose that allowed this whole event to happen.  God was making connections long before we knew they would be needed.  And in Sharon’s final words to me in that text: “Yes, our God is like that!”  Yes, He is.

1 Peter 5:14 says, “Greet one another with a kiss of love.  Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”

Father, thank you for Sharon and Elena and most of all for your Holy Spirit, working to make connections with people “just because.”  Let more “just because” connections cause your work to spread in this crisis and beyond.  Amen.