What if we said no?

Not sure how to describe this week. So many emotions. So many people. So many things happening, it is overwhelming. But, all of it is good and God gets the glory.

With me being out of town Saturday, I can't report on our breakfast turn out. I do know I found 6 left over hash brown patties in the refrigerator, so I know most everything got eaten! Mr Scott reported, their visits went well. A few minor discussions took place, but really every weekend, we have those disagreements, but usually they get resolved on the spot and  life goes on. We have begun discussions again about our roll with our outdoor friends. We will eliminate our stop by the Fairmont and decide on other stops in the near future. We don't want to stop our relationships, that won't happen, we just need to become better stewards of our funds.

Our activities the rest of the week, were leading up to our Christmas meal on Thursday. Every night we had folks coming together to do something. Monday afternoon, we had Pete, Mary, Mark and Ms Abbie practicing for the singing of our carols. What an experience to once again hear music coming from the chapel. Tuesday evening, we had our community men's Bible study, where we read about the birth of Jesus and the reason for the season. Wednesday evening, we had the Kendig clan wrapping presents for our tutoring kiddos. Momma T and Georgette decorated the chapel with Christmas cheer. Ms Sarah and Mr Scott organizing the community bags and then another Ms Sarah from Christ Methodist brought a crew to assemble Christmas bags for our outdoor friends. Every room in the center had some sort of Christmas goodies in it.

Also on Wednesday, two cars pulled up, full of Christmas presents for one of our families. Ms Lisa has been discussing with an organization about adopting a family. They agreed to support Ms Diane's family. This family is a sad story, with a mom and dad not present, and an aunt taking over the task of trying to raise all the children. Most of the children attended our summer camp this past year. This group of ladies not only gave out presents to the children, but gave Ms Diane a large Brookshire's gift card for groceries. They have agreed to support this family for the year, supplying their needs as they come up. What a blessing.

Then there was Thursday. Momma T and Georgette spent all afternoon decorating the tables with their Christmas magic. We gathered in the chapel to a packed house, standing room only! Where we sang Christmas songs, heard about what advent means, and prayed to God for all His blessings. We heard during the evening a lot of positive comments about our chapel experience and their looking forward for more. We hope to have worship at least once a month, depending on how things work out. It has been a long time coming but oh how it was worth it. Great things are in store for the chapel and those who find their way there.

We had so many folks show up, we had to get more chairs and tables as we sat down for supper. We had a nice surprise, Sione and his family joined in the festivities. As the folks were eating, Santa dropped by. Both the young and old sat on Santa's lap! We had a great meal. Following our meal, Ms Abbie handed out her groceries and then the community made their way to the friendship room, where Ms Sarah and her elves gave out bags of clothes, socks and Bibles to all. Ms Sarah, said it was so nice to hear from the community, "thank you for all ya'll are doing", "Merry Christmas", "What a blessing you all are". Mr Scott took some of outdoor friend bags to the Fairmont as he took one of friends back home. Ms Terry showed up again with her medical team, giving out free flu shots. Everything went well with no major problems. Thank you all for such a special evening. Pictures will be posted soon of the evening.

Please keep Ms Abbie's Joe in your prayers. He has been in the hospital since Monday, struggling with pneumonia. He has fluid building up in his body and they are trying to keep it drained. All of this is putting pressure on his new heart. Not sure when he will be coming home. Prayers for Ms Sarah and Mr Scott as they travel to Chicago for the week. Prayers for all who are traveling.

Don't forget, the young adults will be hosting a Christmas Eve service, Saturday night in the community chapel, starting at 11:20pm. I asked if it was ok if I showed up in my pajamas!

On Monday evening, the Men of Grace Bible study reads the Christmas story. Really it has become a tradition for us, wherever we are in the Bible, we stop and read the different passages about the birth. This year, Billy Graham had written a little article about some of his favorite passages, so we followed his suggestions. We started in Isaiah, Micah and then into the New Testament. A good way to bridge together the Old and New. Our first reading in the New Testament was Luke 1: 26-38. This is the story of where the angel comes to Mary and says you have been blessed by God and you will have a baby. What is so great about the Bible, no matter how many times you have read a passage, something might come to you for the first time.

I had one of those weird thoughts Monday night, what if Mary said, thanks but no thanks God? Here, this young girl was about to get married, minding her own business, following their traditions of their time. All of a sudden an angel appears to Mary telling her what God has planned for her and turning her world upside down. What if, Mary says, wow that is cool Gabriel, then thinks about all the grief she will get from family and friends, and says, thanks but no thanks!

I have been thinking about that this week. What if, when God said, let's build a Kingdom together, where there is such darkness and despair, what if we said, thanks but no thanks God. You are asking too much of me. When God said to us, I need you to teach my children, we said, that's nice but I don't have time. Or when God said, go visit my people who have no homes, we say, that is outside my comfort zone, let someone else do that. What if we said no?

Several months ago, the District Superintendent, spoke in our chapel as we celebrated the commissioning of our young people going into ministry. He said to the churches that were being represented there , if you closed your doors to your church tomorrow, would the community miss you? Tough question, have heard it before, but so true. Because you all did not say no, the community depends on our support, our help and our lvoe. As we witnessed last night, many, many folks of our community need us. They come to us for help, they come to us for prayer, they come to us for advise, they come to us for education, they come to us for food, they come to us for hope. The world is tough, lots of challenges to us all, we need a place where lvoe can be found no matter what our circumstances are. Because of your lvoe, we are beginning to build a place like that. A place where God can be found, a place where there are no barriers between colors, where we can come together and worship our God with no worries of what we look like, smell like or talk like.

I say it many times during the year, thank you all for living for others. But it is so true. Living for others is not normal in our society. Worrying if our friends have a meal, warm or safe is not what we are taught. We read in magazines, hear on TV, read in the newspapers, what is best for me matters most. What if Mary said no? What if we said no? Thank God, Mary did not. Thank God you all said yes.

Have a the greatest of time with your family this Christmas weekend. You all are very special followers of Christ. Amen.