Deuteronomy 15:10-11 The Message
Galveston. If you do a Google search, it's all about the hotels and vacation rentals and attractions and events. And yet, I didn't find anything about the event that takes place every week. Same time, same location. 21st Avenue and Winnie Street, 8am-9am, on Saturday mornings.
It's an outside event - on a back parking lot, actually. Several canopies set up, a few benches. There are those who pull in and unload their tables and boxes, then park on the street. Promptly at 8am, Rick starts addressing the motley group that assembles every week. He talks for about 20 minutes or so, appeals for a response, then they serve breakfast and invite the attendees to the tables laden with various wares. At first glance, it looks like it could be an outdoor flea market. There might even have been a few fleas...
If you give it more than the perfunctory glance, you will recognize those who are up against hard times, some are in dire straits. All are in need - including the ones behind the tables. When I went, I wanted to fix all of it. The truth is, I cannot, but I can do something, which of course, reminded me of Matthew West's great song, "Do Something" (see link below). Actually, we can ALL do something.
No, we can't fix it all. I don't believe that we can in our lifetime because Jesus said, "There are always going to be poor and needy people among you." But don't let that stop you, because then He said, "So I command you: ALWAYS be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors." [emphasis mine]
Your budget may be really tight, I know mine is at times, but let me give you an idea. Where I live, just $10 will buy enough peanut butter, grape jelly and bread to make 40 sandwiches. Or it could buy 64 bottles of water and 12 packs of peanut butter or cheese crackers. $5 will buy water and multiple snacks at a dollar store. $1 - just one - will buy 6 individual packs of peanut butter or cheese crackers. If you could have seen the gratitude on their faces for just a pack of snack crackers...
"Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity" (Luke 6:38 The Message).
Do Something
(Click on it for the link to the song.)
Prayer:
Father,
Give us divine appointments to be generous with all that You have provided. Let goodwill, good seed and the Good News of Your Gospel be sown in the lives of those we touch. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Galveston. If you do a Google search, it's all about the hotels and vacation rentals and attractions and events. And yet, I didn't find anything about the event that takes place every week. Same time, same location. 21st Avenue and Winnie Street, 8am-9am, on Saturday mornings.
It's an outside event - on a back parking lot, actually. Several canopies set up, a few benches. There are those who pull in and unload their tables and boxes, then park on the street. Promptly at 8am, Rick starts addressing the motley group that assembles every week. He talks for about 20 minutes or so, appeals for a response, then they serve breakfast and invite the attendees to the tables laden with various wares. At first glance, it looks like it could be an outdoor flea market. There might even have been a few fleas...
If you give it more than the perfunctory glance, you will recognize those who are up against hard times, some are in dire straits. All are in need - including the ones behind the tables. When I went, I wanted to fix all of it. The truth is, I cannot, but I can do something, which of course, reminded me of Matthew West's great song, "Do Something" (see link below). Actually, we can ALL do something.
No, we can't fix it all. I don't believe that we can in our lifetime because Jesus said, "There are always going to be poor and needy people among you." But don't let that stop you, because then He said, "So I command you: ALWAYS be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors." [emphasis mine]
Your budget may be really tight, I know mine is at times, but let me give you an idea. Where I live, just $10 will buy enough peanut butter, grape jelly and bread to make 40 sandwiches. Or it could buy 64 bottles of water and 12 packs of peanut butter or cheese crackers. $5 will buy water and multiple snacks at a dollar store. $1 - just one - will buy 6 individual packs of peanut butter or cheese crackers. If you could have seen the gratitude on their faces for just a pack of snack crackers...
"Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity" (Luke 6:38 The Message).
Do Something
(Click on it for the link to the song.)
Prayer:
Father,
Give us divine appointments to be generous with all that You have provided. Let goodwill, good seed and the Good News of Your Gospel be sown in the lives of those we touch. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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