Family, friends, neighbors, strangers–who do we love?

Dear friends, let’s love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God. The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love.” 1st John 4:7-8

Who is our friend in this case?

Is it only family, those close to us for years, co-workers?

When Jesus was asked, “Who is my neighbor?”, he shared the story of the good Samaritan. Briefly summarized, the story tells of a traveler who was attacked, robbed, and left for dead. Several people passed, none offering assistance to the wounded man. A Samaritan, from a culture recognized as not liking Jews, rescued the injured man, took him to an inn, cared for him, and paid the innkeeper to allow the man to recuperate. When Jesus completed his story he posed a question of his own, “Who was this man’s neighbor?” The correct answer, of course, is “the one who cared for the injured man.”

A stranger helping a stranger…

These men weren’t friends, relatives or even acquaintances, yet this Samaritan, from a culture scorned by the Jewish people, helped a stranger, when in normal circumstances, the two would not have been friends.

For the past several weeks, our church has implemented several events to raise funds to support numerous mission projects. We’ll assist many people we don’t know. I’m sure you also participate in activities that assist strangers–people you don’t know. Why do we do this?

Perhaps it’s because we are sharing God’s love for us with others?

The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love. This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. This is love: it is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as the sacrifice that deals with our sins. 1st John 4:9-10

Whenever we do a small (or large) act of kindness, we are sharing God’s love with others. In a recent Sunday School class at our church, the author of our lesson shared these thoughts:

While God’s generosity is so great that there is no way we can match it, even small acts of generosity can serve as an homage to our generous God.” Sarah McGiverin

On Saturday, our most recent mission project was preparing Brunswick stew. We cook lots of chicken and beef in advance and peel a mountain of potatoes and onions on Friday night. Very early on Saturday morning, huge pots are fired with wood and meat, potatoes and other vegetables go into the pot in a particular order with LOTS of stirring. Seven hours later we have stew! An assembly line packages the stew in sturdy quart containers that are boxed up and sold to many enthusiastic customers, eager to dip into the thick and tasty stew.

We keep our prices low so the stew is affordable. We put our profits into a fund that provides assistance to many local families.

Many folks are involved in this project. It’s hard work, but the loving interaction within our church is awesome! When our community comes to pick up their stew, it’s a time of celebration with friends that we haven’t seen for a while and an opportunity to meet strangers that often become friends.

Does your church, community, or workplace have service events that are a LOT of work? You’re exhausted, yet you see the benefits to those you help. An extra blessing occurs as your group works together in loving fellowship to complete the event. You are giving of your time–making a sacrifice–to help others.

One somewhat unusual occurrence happened this year that encouraged me to view our stew making in a broader sense. I have a variety of tasks to complete in the two-three days of preparation and implementation of stew making. There’s cooking meat, washing a lot of dishes, peeling potatoes, washing more dishes, preparing food for the workers, washing more dishes…

One physically intensive task that is part of my commitment is carrying the boxes of stew from the packaging area into the church building to be prepared for pick-up. This is a lot of running (e.g. walking fast) back and forth. I cross paths with those coming to pick up stew. I’m able to greet folks, but seldom have opportunity for real conversation.

One incident this time was different…

A man exited the building without any stew. He looked irritated and somewhat sad. I felt a nudge to stop and speak with him (he was a stranger to me).

“No stew for you?”

He frowned and grumbled, “No, they say they don’t have anymore. I didn’t pre-order.” (People place orders in advance and since our stew is good–we sold out early this year.)

He turned to leave. “Wait!” I said. “How many quarts did you want?”

“I just wanted one, but what difference does that make? ” he answered. “They’ve sold out.”

“I can get you one of mine.”

He frowned, then raised his eyebrows. “Why would you do that?” Then he frowned more ferociously, “I don’t want to take yours.”

I took that as a challenge. This man would have his quart of stew if I had anything to say about it.

“I ordered ten and I don’t have room in my freezer for that many” (a true statement). “I’ll be glad to share one with you.”

He seemed incredulous, then a little, tiny smile appeared on his face. “I think I like you.”

I laughed. “I like you, too. Wait here.”

I got his stew and he went on his way. It was a small thing, but it sure brightened my day. I hope his day was better, too.

Sometimes it is the small things that can make a big difference.

Together, we are stronger.

Together, we can spread love throughout our world.

We love because God first loved us.” 1 John 4:19