The Touch that Keeps on Giving
Yesterday was awesome. Regular 6:30 a.m. coffee meeting with two brothers in the Lord. Then, off to Bellevue to the day center for homeless men and shared a moment with one of the men who is going to see his son today for the first time in 2 years…tears. Walked across the street to meet Peter who ran a 100 miles in November pushing disabled kids. Then we prayed about his ministry, work and family. Then on to meet a dear brother who has run into some hard times but shared some miracles about how he and God are working together. Then it was off to buy a computer for the young man we support in Ethiopia. Wrote an email to Ethiopia in preparation for my upcoming trip on February 27. And then spent an hour at Gold’s Gym putting this body of mine in better shape.
What is the point of this blog. The needs of those around us abound, both the poor in spirit (discouraged, angry, lack of hope) and in things (housing, money, family). I am often reminded of the biblical injunction, “to whom much is given, much is expected.” It is never a chore but a joy to serve and encourage those in need around us. Wide receivers in football count the number of touches they have in a game. One person with one act of kindness a week makes 52 touches per year or 156 in 3 years. A smile, kind word, a ride to the hospital, a visit to a nursing home, or word from the bible, the touches can come in a hundred forms…is there someone you know that needs a touch.
Footnote: Men at the Congregations for the Homeless shelter in Bellevue WA (some 2000 volunteers provide meals each day of the year).
