“You raise me up so I can stand on mountains,
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on Your shoulders,
You raise me up to more than I can be.”
Loveland – Graham
I had the joy of getting together with some of friends at a church in Groveville yesterday morning. They had collected clothes, blankets, socks and spent the morning assembling hygiene and blessing bags for us to distribute on the streets.
As we began to load the truck, two young men began the process of packing every square inch of space with bags and boxes of the needed items. I honestly wondered how one was going to exit the truck as it was filling up. I believe when we were done with many hands helping, there wasn’t a square inch of space open.
We shared a prayer, a meal and great conversation as I let folks know where their gifts were going to make a difference. Handshakes, hugs and thank-yous followed and I went to get in and drive back.
In all the excitement of the day, people forgot that I wasn’t the size of a 12 year old and adjusted the seat to the point of needing a shoehorn to get in. As I drove back, the smile on my face just wouldn’t go away.
You see, the effort of a relatively small group of people and enthusiasm of a few young men lifted us all up to an inexplicable joy, knowing that we would make a difference, perhaps a life changing one to the neediest of God’s children.
Working for the betterment of humankind is an effort that pays the unearned dividend of joy and contentment. That alone makes a minor detail like leaving room for the driver a blessing of memories to look back on as we give thanks to God for the opportunity to make a difference.
God can raise us up to do mighty things! Are you ready!
Praying for peace!
Pastor Lou Strugala
NJSP, ACPO Chaplain
732-500-8489
