For the past few months, our Hands of God ministry has been distributing clothes, books and toys to the clients of the Douglass Community Association on Paterson in coordination with their monthly Loaves and Fishes food distribution day.
This is a great blend of our two outreach programs! People show up around noon, register to collect food to take home and shop for clothing, books and toys while they wait their turn. We show up ready to assist shoppers find their size, but it’s really more about the conversations, prayers, hugs and relationships we build. In doing so, we often end up getting more out of it this service than we give.
Last month was a great example for me. I arrived feeling a bit down, concerned about some things going on in my life. But a few minutes after clients arrived, I spotted a tiny 3 year-old girl who was hanging onto her mother’s legs for dear life as mom shopped for clothing. Wanting to make the child feel more comfortable, I looked for an appropriate book or toy and found one of my children’s favorite books, Are You My Mother? As I brought the book to the girl, she took one hand off her mother to accept it, then using two hands, she opened the book. She looked at the pictures, then took 2 steps and gave me the biggest hug!
A few minutes later another client, a large man walked into the room. I asked him how he was doing. The biggest smile lit up his face as he enveloped me in a huge hug and said, “I am blessed and loved by the Lord and blessings to you, dear one”
Wow, isn’t that supposed to be my line? We chatted and he shopped and soon his number was called to pick up food and he left. We finished our distribution and I finished the day in much better spirits than when I arrived.
Proverbs 11:25 (MSG) says The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.
Thanks to our amazing God, that verse pretty much sums up my day!
-Jan E