This Reminds Me

Archive for August 31st, 2008

As Hurricane Gustav whips toward shore, Baptist Family Services is assisting in the evacuation of the most vulnerable citizens in its projected path.  Friday night, our church went on alert to begin staffing for the arrival of special needs evacuees.   We knew they’d be from the Golden Triangle area (Beamont-Orange-Port Arthur), but we didn’t exactly “who” or how many.  Or – it turns out – actually when they’d arrive.  Staffing for the shelter for Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the first time I ever totally exhausted a cordless phone battery.  Luckily, we’d replaced ours only last week.

Keith and Rachel were at the church from 11:30 p.m. last night until 11 a.m. this morning.  The buses and ambulances begin arriving around 7 a.m.  When I saw Keith for the first time today (around 8:15 am.). he was “glowing” in the heat and humidity of traffic control/unloading in the parking lot.

The church lobbywas a constant hub for unloading guests, luggage, linens, meals, medical supplies, etc. Police officers assisted with security and confused guests.  Oxygen tanks had to be wheeled out to fire trunks to be refilled. The city health inspector ran his white glove around.  The youth – who are meeting in the gym because of construction – were milling around, waiting for the sanctuary to be emptied from worship so they can have Sunday School.  I had to pop into the sanctuary a few times to grab some young, strong arms and backs to help carry medical equipment and hot meals.  So somehow….this sign…

…..just cracked me up.

I’ve watched my girls play endless games of basketball in this gym.  I’ve attended umpteen dinners and banquets in this gym.  I’ve taken hundreds of pictures of youth events and VBS in this gym.  But I have never seen this gym put to better use, or been prouder of our church family in it. Matthew 25: 37 – 40:  “Then the righeous will answer him, ‘Lord, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you?  Or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?   When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’   The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth.  Whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

Here is what I have noticed when asking people to help with something that is going to inconvenience them, or put them out of their comfort zones.

Really, really busy people are going to hmmm and hawwww for just a few seconds, maybe scrunch up their faces and look off in the distance.  Maybe purse their lips and shut one eye.  And then they’re going to say something like, “Ummmm…yeah.  Okay.  I can make Thursday work.  Put me down.”

Other people are going to tell you their life story.  Slowly.  Culminating with excrutiating rabbit trails to “no.”  Which you knew when they started.  Because pretty much, it’s the same people that scrunch their faces and the same people that want to tell you their life story.  Every time.

Not a fair judgment?  Maybe not.  Maybe so.

But it is what I’ve noticed.