Mirrors…Reflecting (upon) God’s Grace

Yesterday was Angel Food Distribution Day.  Earlier this week, a mom from the neighborhood called and asked if we would be willing to help out her son who had some community service time to complete. 

We never have too much help, so I quickly agreed.  This 19 yr old kid came at 7:30 am and worked and worked with us until noon.  He was a great kid.  I asked him if he went to church and all that.  He just moved here a couple of months ago, and wasn’t attending anywhere, although he had grown up in church in his old town.

I have a great friend who is a part of Angel Food with me.  She has a 17 yr old daughter.  So, naturally, the conversation turned to whether or not this kid has a girlfriend (he doesn’t), and wouldn’t he want to meet some kids, we have a great youth group, a great church, yadda yadda yadda!

I have to tell you, my friend and I were totally obnoxious!  I mean off the charts.  Honestly, she was trying to hook him up with her daughter, and I was trying to hook him up with Jesus.  When all was said and done, he & I shook hands to seal the deal on him coming to church – the 10 am or 11:30 am service – his choice, but just come.  I told him that he didn’t ever have to come again, if he didn’t like it, but to give us a try.  You should have seen his face light up whenever I told him that we had a drummer on the praise team. 

Fast forward to today – I have prayed for this kid all last night, this morning, and even during the 10 am service.  I so much wanted to see him make it to church.  After the services were over, I turn around and there he is!  Sitting in the back row with another couple that he met yesterday at Angel Food!  I was so excited I could have burst!  He looked really pleased that so many people were happy to see him.  My friend did the introductions with her daughter, and they and the other kids stood around and talked between the services. 

Actually, since he had some more hours to finish, and we have a bunch of projects going on around the church with painting and such, I introduced him to that guy, and they are going to be working together.  It is a win-win situation – he gets his hours, and we get help with projects.

I don’t know what he did, and quite frankly, I don’t even care.  Here was a chance to reach out to a kid, and potentially make a difference in his life.  We have introduced him to some new friends in a new town.  Best of all, he gets to meet Jesus.  Truly, I just can’t stop smiling about this.

People were starting to settle in for the 2nd service today, and he was still there, so I went up and asked “Are you staying to the 2nd service?”  ” I guess so.”  Blessed AGAIN!

When church was over and I had the coffee all cleaned up, he was still surrounded by all the teenagers, talking and laughing.  They were going to invite him to youth group tonight. 

I don’t know where the LORD wants to take this, and it doesn’t matter.  We reached out, and it made a difference.  That is a feeling you don’t get anywhere else, let me tell you. 

What keeps running through my mind is Ephesians 3:20-21:

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Immeasurably more!  We asked for this kid for one service – we got two!  It is quite a lesson about the LORD – He WANTS so much to show us, teach us, love us – if only we would ask or imagine. 

Father, I pray for that boldness that borders on obnoxious – use me to reach your lambs – to bring them to the Shepherd.  It is Your Harvest, ripe for the picking.  Show us how to be the workers in Your fields, gathering up those who need You, bringing them to You.  Lord, I am so blessed by what happened today – Just one more!  Bless Your Holy, Holy Name, Jesus.  AMEN!!