But God, who encourages those who are
discouraged, encouraged us…
Don’t forget to show hospitality to
strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels
without realizing it!
Meet
Jim. Tuesday was his birthday, and there
were several things that happened around this special day. Jim was so excited for several reasons. I’d like to share with you some of the things
that he told me about.
Early
this week Jim came to get me and asked me to look at a picture on his
computer. It was of a 20 something year
old lady holding a baby. Jim told me
this was his daughter that he hasn’t seen in years and his new grandbaby. This grandpa was smiling from ear to
ear. Then he told me that the night
before he reconnected with his ex-wife as well as recently reconnecting with
his daughter
You
see Jim was in prison for at least two decades.
His family is more than a thousand miles away and hasn’t been writing or
talking to Jim much at all. So this week
was a huge win for this man. Not only is
God rebuilding Jim’s life, but God is rebuilding his family.
Like I
said, Jim’s birthday was Tuesday. As we
talked that evening he shared with me that the birthday cake he was given at
lunch was the first he had in over 30 years.
It was a simple birthday cake and a simple lunch that many of our folks
sharing with Jim. My wife and I got him
a card as well.
But
what touched my heart was something Jim said as I dropped him off at his house
that night and that another friend said the next day. Jim commented that this was the best birthday
he ever had and one of the greatest days of his life. That floored me and made me stop to think.
We
didn’t do very much other than provide a meal and spend some time with
him. But this made a difference to
Jim. It made him feel special. By the way, one of the things that I believe
God has called me and our church to do is to throw birthday bashes for the
people we get to serve. What I thought
was a little thing was huge to Jim. I
knew this was something that we needed to do, but Jim knew that what happened
on this day made Jim know that he is special.
Years
ago I read Tony Compolo’s book The Kingdom of God is a Party. Tony talked about not being able to sleep one
night when he was visiting Hawaii. In
the middle of the night he went to an out of the way café. He met several people there. One was obviously a prostitute that Tony saw
across the counter, and he heard her say that today was her birthday and that
she had never had a birthday party.
Tony
went to the café owner and asked about the lady. He learned a few things including when she
would return. During that time Tony went
shopping, got a cake and decorations, and right there in the middle of the
night, in an out of the way all night dinner this dude threw a birthday party
for a prostitute. Most people would say
she wasn’t worthy of the party or of someone doing something special for
her. Tony and my God would disagree.
I feel
similarly about my friend Jim. He has
lots of history and lots of baggage in his life including his time in prison,
but my God hasn’t given up on me or on this ex-con. God sees the potential in Jim and loves Him
more than any of us will know.
May we
be found throwing parties for the people that God loves but others over look. God will use these simple acts to help people
see that they are worthy to God, and that God has lots of great days and hope
for their lives. Would you do something
special for an ex-con or a lady most people over look? God loves people, and He has called us to
love the people He loves!
And Nehemiah continued, “Go and
celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food
with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord.
Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”
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