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Hello St. John’s Family,
One of the most humbling realities of life is that we never know what each day will bring. Our plans and schedules; our intentions and anticipations can all go out the window with one phone call, text, or email. Fortunately, that doesn’t occur frequently for most of us. When it does, though, we are quickly reminded of how little we can control in our challenging and chaotic world.
Friday December 8 was a difficult day for my family. My father was unexpectedly hospitalized, and in the middle of that my mother became lost. As I sat with Dad in the ER, I couldn’t connect with mom, as my calls and texts went unanswered. When we were finally able to connect, I discovered mom was many miles away, and I would not be able to get to her for almost an hour. Mom, worried and confused, was vulnerable and alone at a random Arby’s on the east side of Lancaster.
I soon saw that while mom was vulnerable, she wasn’t alone. As it turns out, an assistant manager named Frances was working the Friday night dinner shift. Frances spoke into mom’s phone, providing the exact address for their location. She provided mom with a ginger ale to sip as mom waited. In the middle of a Friday rush, she kept an eye out for mom, retrieving mom’s phone when she unknowingly dropped it. She provided compassion and care to a worried stranger – and that worried stranger’s family – in ways she will never fully know. Though I don’t know if Frances is a person of faith, I do know that she felt a nudge from God to look after someone in need, and she did that incredibly well. For that I am very, very thankful. And humbled.
Last Friday reminded me how the only thing more humbling than experiencing the unexpected challenges we cannot control is experiencing unexpected and unsolicited compassion, love, and care. In a moment of uncertainty and concern, God worked through Frances to reveal compassion, love, and – most importantly – a tangible reminder of God’s faithful presence in the middle of a chaotic situation. Experiencing that is amazing, and it is incredibly humbling.
In this Advent season full of hope and anticipation… yet also full of many days where there do not seem to be enough hours to accomplish all our responsibilities, I pray you will keep your eyes open for those around us who need a few moments of compassion and love. Extending that compassion and love in a needed moment will bless others beyond what we comprehend – and will powerfully reveal God’s love to a hurting and weary world.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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