A couple in their 80’s struggling with different health issues. A 79-year-old grandma feeling the wear and tear of aging. A widower and single dad. What do they have in common? The youth ministry Rake-A-Thon! Their yards were all invaded by a crew of hardworking GCC students and adult volunteers on November 22nd. I received a note in the mail this week from one of the ladies we were able to help out. It said, “On a recent Sunday afternoon I had the pleasure of a visit from a group of young people. They came armed with rakes and plastic bags and cleaned up my yard – both back and front. Can’t tell you what a treat that was for me- I’m almost eighty and finding leaf raking not quite the fun it used to be!”
I laughed when I read that last line because I’m not sure anyone really considers leaf raking fun…unless you’re the child that gets to jump into the huge piles once the labor is done. To be honest, I was worried only a couple students would show up for this event for that very reason- it’s not the most fun activity and it’s tiring. It’s one thing to be paid by parents or neighbors for the hard work. It’s a completely different story when it’s done for free.
That’s the beautiful thing about that day. Students and leaders showed up, despite my doubt and anxiety, looking beyond themselves and their own comfort to the needs of neighbors and friends in the Forest Lakes community. Not so they could be praised or boast about their efforts but simply to love and serve in the name of Christ. I think sometimes we get so confused and overwhelmed when we think about what it looks like to be Christ-followers in this world. Serving others has this beautiful way of simplifying and clarifying that purpose – it’s love. Loving others “because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). The Rake-A-Thon was a great reminder that it doesn’t have to be this big, huge event but it can be as simple as grabbing a friend in the youth group or another member of your family and offering some assistance to a neighbor in need. Offering general help to people seems like it’s easier to turn down, but if you can offer specific help on a task (like leaf raking or snow shoveling) perhaps they’ll be more receptive and say “yes!”
One of the goals of this event from the beginning was to identify GCC members in the Forest Lakes area who already had initiated relationships with those we hoped to help. Pastor Ward was one of those people. Over the two hour span we were working on his street, several neighbors left or returned home from their afternoon errands and they looked on. Some made their presence more obvious than others, but you could tell people were curious about who we were and why we were there. We even had a lady come ask if we could do her yard, too! I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “actions speak louder than words.” I do believe we are called to share the gospel and what we believe with our neighbors and friends using words. I also believe that the love of Christ in motion stirs up curiosity and speaks loudly to those around us.
Mother Teresa once wisely said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” I wonder what “small things” might look like for you? Can you think of specific people in your neighborhood or that you interact with on a regular basis that could benefit from some extra love and assistance with a specific task? If the task is too big to tackle yourself, who could you invite to come join you?
Our purpose and mission is simple – love. Soak up the truth today that you are dearly loved by God and share it with the world around you.
In Him,
Stacey