People Like Her

You notice people like her.
You know what I mean – by how a particular person acts or how they react to situations, you realize without them having to explain to you, what is motivating them.

Several years ago, the church I was serving was having its Stewardship Dedication Sunday. That’s what we’re doing at Grace Covenant this Sunday, November 8. These Sundays normally follow a certain pattern: folks came forward singing a hymn and placed their offering and pledges in a basket. I noticed when this young woman came forward…she looked so joyful, so free. Later I asked her what was going on with her as she did that.

She said: “In the 1930's, my Mom lived in a large house west of town with her parents, siblings and her Aunt. Her father took odd jobs wherever he could find them, and her Aunt worked for the railroad as a secretary. They rented out rooms in the house for extra income. As many as 10 people could be living in the house, with one bathroom. Things were tough. There was no money, no privacy and no relief in sight. But they had a home. They had food. They knew, as trying as the times were for them, they had a lot.
“My Grandmother and Great Aunt would hand out sandwiches to anyone passing by in the alley behind the house on their way to look for work. No questions asked. No judgment. Everyone was hurting. Everyone was hungry. There was not much thought wondering if they should do this, they just did it.
“That's what I grew up with. It's the unspoken language of service. Stop talking about what you are going to do. Don't tell me your plans. Show me. Go into the world and do what you can with what you have and that will be enough.”

For me, that more than explained the freedom I noticed in her.
It more than explained the joy.