FOR THE LEAST OF THESE
Matt 25: The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
It is a beautiful winter day in Little Rock and we just finished serving breakfast to around 40 people under the Broadway Bridge. How cold was it? Hot chocolate spilled on the table froze and coffee droplets turned into crystals on more than one man’s beard.
My church is 16th Section UMC near Cabot AR and we have joined with Fishnet Ministries in Jacksonville for the past several years to bring a hot breakfast, a smile, and a kind word to “the least of these.” I am the pastor appointed to fill the vacancy left when the previous pastor died.
I have worked in this type of ministry for several years, serving food when it is Arkansas hot. But on the 8th of January, 2015 we could only hope for heat. The 22 degree temperature next to the Arkansas River pierced our down coats, sweats, and long underwear. This is not the coldest I have ever been, not even close. But as I stood at the end of the serving line watching one man’s runny nose freeze, God’s love warmed my heart. I realized I was catching a glimpse of the daily lives of some of God’s children.
One thing that stands out to me whenever I am blessed to be able to minister to folks who need a helping hand is their attitude. Many are cheerful and they receive “God bless you” with enthusiasm. And inevitably, instead of me blessing them, it us I who receives the greater blessing knowing that for one brief hour I showed love to God’s people.
Prayer: May we never become so comfortable with God’s blessings that we fail to share them with others.
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Seeking Holiness 