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4/27/2015 The Lighthouse - April 27, 2015All That She Had... Pam and Marvin at the lemonade stand Yesterday, our confirmation class - Brenna, Chandler, Baylor, and Austin - held their lemonade stand to support Imagine No Malaria at Gayle's Quick Stop. We are thankful to the folks at Gayle's who were kind enough to let us set up there - if you happen to stop by there, please thank them for their support. Thank you to everyone who came out to support them and to give so generously to save lives! The kids will announce a final tally this Sunday in church. I also want to thank Pam and Dianna for extra donations of goodies for the kids to sell. And, of course, a huge thank-you goes out to the families of the confirmands - Will, Tara, Chelsea, Dinah, Chris, Amie, Keith, Rad, and Michelle - who helped every step of the way. One thing that happened yesterday that struck me was a woman who came over to our little corner of the lot at Gayle's to donate a handful of change. She was not a member of our congregation or family of any our kids. As far as I know, she had no reason to give than to encourage the kids and to help those who suffer under the threat of malaria. She came apologetically, offering less than a dollar's worth of coins. "I'm sorry. I don't have any more to give. I don't carry cash on me - all I have is my credit cards." The kids offered her a cup of lemonade, but she declined. She just wanted to give all that she had on her at the time to help. It made me think of the story of how Jesus and the disciples watched the widow place her last two coins in the Temple treasury. Jesus pointed out that, though her offering was meager, she gave more than those who gave larger amounts out of their abundance because she gave all she had, little as it was. Perhaps this woman we met yesterday gave out of abundance of wealth and may never miss those few coins she gave. Still, there is something striking about her desire to give all that she had with her. She did not give out of an abundance of care for the kids as many of us did, nor did she give because she had seen a video in church that morning showing the impact a small donation can have for those living under the constant threat of malaria. I suspect that she gave all she had with her simply because she was moved by seeing some youth trying to make a difference in the world. Blessed is the woman who would give to strangers that they in turn may help a number of other strangers a world away! Love for the stranger in our midst - that is the love of Jesus! May we all be so moved to help the stranger in need! Blessings on the journey, Jim
Living in Community
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