FEEDING THE HUNGRY

My longtime friend, Beverly, was one of the first people I met when we moved to Lexington 13 years ago, and still remains one of my closest friends. She's such a dear, kind person. I wish all of you could meet her and get to know her. She's the kind of friend that you can just sit and talk to for hours and then realize five hours have passed and you must soon GO HOME. We talk about everything together. I love her dearly.

She and her family were serving at the local homeless shelter tonight and invited our family to come along. The homeless shelter is a big outreach for our church. They supplied all of the paper products, and Beverly supplied all the food. Beverly, always thinking of someone else, made sure their meal would be special. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and deviled eggs. Needless to say, the deviled eggs were a huge hit. We found it's a treat they never get. So of course she'll be bringing more when she returns, just for them.

Greg and Laci thought it might be nice if they brought their instruments along and played a little music while they ate. They really enjoyed it, and Laci and dad enjoyed doing it.
Nicholas (Beverly's grandson) came along too. So the kids got to play catchup. Laci and Nicholas have been buds since birth, only a couple weeks apart, and they think they are brother and sister. Hmm, they don't look anything alike to me!

We stayed around after dinner to mingle. Everyone has a story to tell, if you're willing to listen. One guy enjoyed seeing Laci and Caleb, because he hasn't seen his two children in over a year. There was one young guy there who was the most talented artist I've seen in a long time. Cartoon drawing was his specialty. Adding the most vibrant color to them, they looked so professional! And he was more than happy to share them with Laci and Caleb. They thought they were wonderful! And then there was one couple staying there that had lost their home this year. He worked for a local furniture company here in town and got laid off, they struggled to keep their home of 15 years, with family chipping in when they could, then his wife lost her job, then they lost everything, including their home. The bank took it.

Not everyone staying in a shelter is looking for a free handout. Some actually are there because they've fallen on hard times. It could easily be me or you. Although Volvo Trucks North America is losing money faster than one of their trucks could possibly travel, I'm thankful Greg still has a job. In God's sovereign Grace we were serving tonight instead of being served.

Thanks, Beverly, for inviting us to serve with you, to remind me that I need to pray for the homeless and hungry, and be ever thankful for what I have!