The rain came down in buckets, if not battalions of buckets.  Water ran across the parking lots, along the sides of the roadways, and spilled the streams into the nearby fields.  It was a Saturday morning to stay home and NOT to go out into the downpour.

Yet we went, for our task was important to those who would come.

• Families would be fed.
• Lives would be touched.
• Blessings would be shared.
• Jesus Christ would be exemplified.

The third Saturday of each month, we participate in a community food ministry, and this past Saturday was no different.  The church body works together to accomplish this task. This month, our Saturday was extremely moist.

• The men carrying out the food boxes to the patrons became saturated to the skin.
• The men placing the fresh vegetables and fruit in the small boxes near the open door needed to step carefully, lest they slipped on the wet floor coming inside from the downpour of rain.
• The men, women, and children packing the boxes could hear and see the rain falling outside the window and open door.

Nevertheless, they worked, placing the collected items into the food boxes, for they were hopeful that a rainy Saturday would NOT keep the hungry from driving to the church.

Reflecting on her statement has caused me to consider what the apostle Paul wrote. In the letter the Holy Spirit led him to write to the believers living in Colossae, he said:

• We are teaching the world—the love of Christ.
• We are allowing the world—to see Jesus in us.
• We are singing to the world—how thankful we are for God’s Amazing Love.

It takes so many hands to prepare each month for the Northern Food Distribution.

• Some order the food that will be necessary.
• Some need to drive to retrieve the food.
• Some are needed to sort & store the food.
• Some must keep the records.
• Some ask the church family to help keeping us focused on which Saturday to be ready.
• Some need to arrive on Friday night to set up the rollers, the food, and make the place ready.
• Then some must come on Saturday morning by 9:45 to put their hands to work, packing the boxes, carrying out the boxes, and placing the boxes into the vehicles of those who will come to the church.

Once 12 pm arrives, some need to count and store the remaining food, sweep the floors, put away the rollers until next month, set up the chairs and items to restore the youth space, and then lock the church doors.  Even in the pouring rain that saturates the earth and spills the streams into the fields—the Lord Jesus Christ is gorgeous in His Love!

“You know, it was the heart of one dear soul:  Frances, who saw the need in her community.  &. It takes so many hands each month to do the work that needs to be accomplished for the food ministry to continue,” I said as we talked through a video chat.

“Mom, this is beautiful.”

And I thought:  “Yes, the Lord Jesus is—BEAUTIFUL. “

“Thank You, God, for giving us a passion to feed the hungry in our small community.”