My Ponderings

Last night, two vans and a moving van made their way down to 12th Street and set up several tables with clothes, cookies, coffee, and hot chocolate. Soon we had a crowd. Mismatched clothes, toboggans, wide-toothy grins, grateful hearts. Most were polite, appreciative. Some sang carols with us, some laughed and joked around, some just stood quietly sipping their hot drink. It's in times like these that I feel extremely blessed. I wonder at God's goodness to me. Why I am here and they are there? I know some of them are there because of their own choices. But others? What traumatic event happened in their life that now they wonder where their next bed will be? I know why - because of sin. And that is why Jesus and this time of year is so precious. He saves the rich and poor, the healthy and sick, those with a home and those who have none. He was born to save His people from their sins. He calls anyone. I just pray that those people will respond. Whether it was a smile, the giving of food and clothes, or a tract, somehow they will look to the baby who was born, who lived and died, but rose again. For it was He who came to save and seek that which was lost (Luke 19:10). This Christmas - join me by reaching out, even if it's just a smile, a hug, a listening ear. Reach out - because Jesus reached out to you and me. Who knows what difference it could make.