“I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from?” Psalm 121:1
A week or so ago I had an experience that made me proud to serve and be a part of Downtown Mitchell First UMC. I was at a care facility in Mitchell visiting a person whose health was failing. As I visited with family of this person in the hallway, I noticed another individual further down the hall waving at me. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure who the person was. She looked familiar but I couldn’t put a name to the face…or where I knew her from. I eventually went over and greeted the woman. She asked me, “Will I see you tonight?” I did a fast memory scan in my head, “Tonight, what do I have going on tonight??!!” I couldn’t come up with anything, so I finally said to her, “What do I have going on tonight?” Her reply was, “Love Feast!”
Of course, she was right. Love Feast was taking place that evening. I then realized that is where I knew her from. She was one of our regular guests at Love Feast. So, I told her, “Absolutely…I’ll see you there!! And indeed, I did!
What struck me about this encounter and conversation was that I had just read Psalm 121 to the individual whose life was slowly ebbing away. “I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from?” My hope was those words would bring some comfort to the individual and family as they remembered that their source of hope, help, and strength was in God and that God was with them on this journey.
But then it struck me as I was reflecting on my moment with the Love Feast person asking me about my participation for that evening, that maybe that bi-monthly meal, and trip to our church, was a source of encouragement, help, and hope for this person and the family members that always accompanied her. This made me wonder how this person, and maybe even others who attend Love Feast, might rewrite Psalm 121 to reflect their life situation. Maybe this particular Psalm would sound more like;
“I lift up my eyes to that bell tower. Where does my help come from?
My help comes from a smiling face, a warm greeting.
My hope at times is found in a hot meal prepared for me.
It gives me strength to sustain me and my family,
And it helps me to know that in this community…someone cares
Even for me…..”
Isn’t it interesting how one brief moment or chance encounter with another person can change one’s perspective on something. The simple question, “Will I see you tonight?” gave me a new perspective on the Love Feast and our church’s role in that ministry.
I realize that at times I become the “face” of Downtown Mitchell First UMC. I don’t believe the person I visited with was just wanting to see me that evening. No, she was really looking forward to the affirmation, the sense of family, the connection, the pleasant atmosphere, and even the hope that a simple meal can give.
Am I reading too much into that simple question, “Will I see you tonight?” ?? Maybe…but then again…maybe not. It is my strongest hope and desire that our church and the ministries we partner with, like Love Feast, would truly become places that do indeed lift people’s eyes and hearts to see God and provide a sense of hope.
Sometimes I believe we can forget what we are really doing when we are involved in ministry. Yes, Love Feast is about serving a meal to anyone who would like to come to eat with us. But it really is about so much more; companionship, hope, acceptance, etc. In other words, Love Feast isn’t just about the feast…or the food that is served. Love Feast really is about the LOVE that is expressed and included with every plate that is served. This brings another verse from the Bible to mind. Words spoken by Jesus; “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John13:35 Yes, my friends, let’s keep on spreading love.
Pastor Keith