we are called

to be food and drink for one anther (f. buechner).

 

and so you are,

so you have been.

over the past months, in big gulps and sweet sips,

you have been our food and drink.

in january our pantry was empty. we have looked on empty shelves before. we know not to worry.

but this time was different. this time, the abbot felt God wanted us to be humble enough to invite you in and show you how empty they were. and because the abbot is both humble and obedient, he did. he took a deep breath and asked you for $38,000.

it is clear we are lousy at asking for money. we have never asked anyone but God for money, and he is just so easy to talk to. but you, you who might not have to ask your employer for your paycheck each week and who have heard us boast that the way it works around here is that we depend on God to move man alone, you are a little intimidating, to be honest. we want to be such good stewards of the money you give us, and each time it runs out, i wonder if we have not. 

but this is what we cannot stop practicing: obedience to our Lord at all costs.

so that when he calls us to depend on Him alone, we do that until He tells us otherwise. and when He guides us to take in addicts to live with us, we do that until the house bursts with men and women in recovery. and it's beautiful. and we sit at big long tables, balance trays on our laps when there is no more space. we do it because this is the work God has put in front of us. we do it until He takes that work away. which is not, i can tell you, as beautiful. but we accept it nonetheless and we obey. 

when he tells us to pray for six months, we obey. when he tells us to start a church, we obey. when he tells us to provide a meal for our entire neighborhood every week, we obey. and He provides. 

He provides. 

He provides.

even when we are disobedient, which is often, He is faithful. He stops walking, waits for us to fall in line behind Him, and then starts back up again, maybe slower this time. He guides and He provides and all we have to do is follow along. 

i think that is what it means to live in a state of grace.

which i can tell you is a whole lot better than making your own way, because i can do that too, machete in hand, swinging at everyone and everything in my path, and it's ugly. ask my family. 

and.

these last months we have lived in this state of grace

we have sat at the table as meal after meal has been laid before us, just over $30,000 in donations.

you have been food and drink to us and we are full with thanks. 

and i just wanted to tell you that. 

 

thank you.

::jenn::

Comments

[Susan]

Praise God! I am crying tears of joys reading about how beautifully our Lord has provided for your needs. The way you describe the obedience part is something I am trying to be much for faithful with, and that brings it's own reward.

What's beautiful is watching God work in and through you. Ask anyone in your family and they will say that's true.

Obedience, grace, blessing...our god is so good

love you deep

[sue mitchell]

Thank you both for being that example to us. You deserve our utmost thanks as well. God is so good. Amen.