Thurman's words once again called mission work!

 Words, Howard Thurman's particularly keep swirling around in my head.  The storm pictures, those who visit the church for food, those living in shelters because of husband abuse.  December has brought all of those experiences to us again.  To heal the broken, to feed the hungry to release the pris'ner.  The work of Christmas.  

A story of yesterday.  As we were waiting for folks to stop in for food, near the end of the hour a man appeared at the door, bent over almost to his waist, his face barely visible, nearly hidden with a hoody.  He staggered up to the table with few words.  We asked if he could use two meals and he nodded yes with no words being heard.  It was evident to us that this man was physically struggling.  The degrees in temperature had dropped at least 40 points since morning and the wind was in its dagger mode.  A surprise change in temperature for all of us.  This was a Thurman moment.  The man was provided a chair to rest and recuperate.  He lived 2 blocks away from the church but it was an extremely long walk, in his words of 45 minutes, with a compromised body. Dr. James asked if he had a heart condition.  No was the reply, He just couldn't breathe.  So after a time to recuperate and a trip home by car with his meals, his walk up his driveway was an erect walk with his anticipated meals that would last him for a day or two.  Yes...a Thurman moment that has many places today to be used in our world, those words still swirling in my head.  The hope is that we see this unnamed to us but known to God gentle man once again gather strength to walk to church for a meal.  Yes, the work of Christmas...to feed the hungry.  

The other mission project yesterday for North Church was the Jubilee Christmas Celebration of providing food baskets and toys for the children who live with their mothers just a few blocks from the church.   This repurposed school building with many apartments provides safety away from abusive family situations.  Food baskets, wrapping paper, and selected gifts were moved to Coburn Place during  Covid times.  Mothers are able to wrap their requested gifts for their children ready for giving at Christmas.  Once again Thurman's words...release the prisoner this time from abusive situations.  

Healing the broken... The world is broken so in many places just too numerous to write.  So what you identify as broken, pray and work for healing.  My mind thinks of the tornado events.  

The rest of yesterday included a not surprising long nap, a trip to the grocery, and some evening knitting.  Sunday follows Saturday so it's church day.  A new week of beginnings.