I am posting the reflection that I placed in the Field of Grace newsletter today.
"Then he told his servants, 'We have a wedding banquet all prepared but no guests. The ones I invited weren't up to it. Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.' The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on-every place filled."
Matthew 22:9-10
This passage very aptly describes the Thanksgiving Luncheon that we had planned last week for college students and others. Flyers had been posted on the campuses and e-mails sent to staff whom I knew, asking them to share the information with students with whom they had contact. We even had the event posted in the local newspaper. We had the capacity to seat and feed 24 persons, and I would have been happy if 15 to 20 attended. The two turkeys were ready, the rolls heated, homemade cranberry sauce, the sweet potato pie awaiting the first cut (O.K., I was waiting for that pie to be cut!). And we waited. Well, nearly an hour after the posted start time no one had arrived. So, following the lead of the passage above, I invited one of the helpers to come with me to walk through downtown Wilkes-Barre to offer an invitation to whomever we met. One of the other helpers remained at the site and her task was to invite anyone who passed by to come in and enjoy a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal, free of charge. And so rather than waiting for people to come to us, we went out and took our invitation to the people. First to arrive there were two young women walking with a baby, and their male friend; then the two youths who had been skateboarding across the street; men from the transitional home next door, and a steady stream of folk continued to arrive until most of the food had been consumed, and we had run out of plates. Blessings were exchanged, prayers requested, laughter and stories shared, and new relationships formed. Was it the luncheon that this slightly OCD control freak had planned? No. Was it more than I could have expected? Most definitely, yes! I was reminded once again, that even my best best plans, or no match for the plans of God. And, that at times I will need to step outside of what I would like to happen and be willing to follow an entirely different approach that God has laid out.
The day was a wonderful one and I am so thankful for the direction it took. Sure, it would have been great to have hosted the students, but those who did attend were ones who really needed a meal and company that day. One was an older woman who after over 30 years of marriage found herself "evicted" (her term) by her husband and feeling forsaken by her family. She never imagined that after so many years of marriage she would find herself in her current situation. She was so thankful for the meal that was offered and hugged me tight as she repeatedly voiced her disbelief at her situation. She firmly pressed money into my hand saying that she felt that she needed to give something to support our efforts. When I later looked at what she had given me it was a crumpled $1 bill, probably more than she could afford to give away. As I looked at the bill I was reminded of Jesus' story of the poor woman who placed all that she had into the offering plate in the temple. Another young woman who felt that God had led her to the luncheon, also felt compelled to give something to support the ministry. She herself had been homeless not too long ago and is currently trying to find employment to support herself and her daughter. As we were cleaning up, she left us only to return several minutes later. She went into the prayer room and left a couple of dollars as a love offering in the donation box. Women, men, young, old, homeless, seeking employment: each one that came in had a story, and I am thankful that God allowed me to journey with them for that short span of time. Several asked about the ministry, taking away literature and wanting to know about other gatherings and Bible studies. Some ate their meal, said "thank you" and were on their way. I may never see many of them again, but I am thankful that our ministry was able to offer a moment of refuge and community, regardless of how brief.
Hasta Luego
