Serving in love.

I woke, settled the girls at the table for breakfast, and quickly scrolled my social media feed. 

One group I'm a part of is a free/in need group where people can request help and get connected with those able to provide help. This could be food, formula, diapers, craft items, household goods, decor, or anything. Most often, I see people needing food, formula, and diapers. 

As I scrolled through my feed, one particular post caught my eye which was from a woman (A.) who requested help for her elderly neighbor. She posted that her neighbor needed help feeding herself, her husband, and their granddaughter. 

I wrote for her to private message me. She did. 

She told me the older couple didn't have enough to stretch until they could get government assistance on the 10th and that they had a daughter whose binge (drug or alcohol) left her 5yr old child in their care. She said anything could help and she did all she could by walking over soup from their previous nights dinner. 

I asked if the couple had any allergies or restrictions. She said that the husband has diabetes. I told her to give me a few hours to go shopping and we could meetup. She agreed.

The girls and I packed in the car, headed to the grocery, and loaded up the cart. The girls were thoroughly excited to be my runners, grabbing what I asked them to snatch. Aisle by aisle we walked. I asked myself, "What would I want to receive if I were in their shoes? What are needs and what are wants? Do they need soap or toilet paper or anything else? Will they have a microwave and freezer space?"

We filled our cart with a variety of food ranging from rice, to canned veggies, instant potatoes, pasta, fresh and frozen meat, peanut butter, drink mixes, bread, cheese, and more. I was sure to include some poptarts and fruit cup type things for the granddaughter. 

I wanted to do more. But I did what I could. 

We loaded the groceries and all settled into our seatbelts. Before turning the key, I asked the girls "Why are we doing this?" They responded with their thoughts and I affirmed, including that God has been generous to us and so we should be generous to others. That God has been kind and loving to us, and we can follow that example. 

We drove to the spot where we agreed to meet. I removed the groceries from our trunk, handed them to Penny, who handed them assembly line style to A. who loaded her backseat full. We talked a bit about the situation and I told her she could give my number to the older couple. 

As we drove back home, I debriefed with the girls. We talked about drugs and alcohol and the effect that they have on our bodies and relationships, especially when we abuse them. We talked about sin, about mercy and love. We talked about how to respond to others whose choices are foolish or harmful. We talked about loving people practically and being willing to sacrifice to help others. 

Later that evening, I received a message from A. telling me she gave everything to them and that she was also able to do some laundry for them and buy a case of water for them. 

When she told me she bought water for them, my heart sunk in shame. 

I have spent the past 7 months adjusting to our new location. I have spent the past 7 months feeling the tension of expectations and what I had been used to in the States. The cost of food is quite a bit more than back stateside and I find myself floundering. Yet. There are people just a few miles from us who are struggling to feed their families and give them water. I realized that even in our current situation, I am overwhelmingly privileged. I felt ashamed for complaining and worrying, especially knowing my pantry is comfortable. 

The whole encounter humbled me. I want the girls to be a part of more opportunities like this. 

I am hoping that A. messages me again, and we can have another chance to share more. 

May God continue to soften our hearts and strengthen our hands for serving.

2 Corinthians 9:8