Hello, Friends!
      Jesus showed up yesterday—right here at church!
      Rhodes and I were here finishing up a little painting project we began awhile back, and I was in the tidying up to go home phase, when I heard labored breathing and heavy footsteps coming up the stairs toward the church office.
    A husband and wife, Chris and Daryl, were worn out from walking all over our part of town, trying to find an open church from which to get some help.  When they saw our office door closed, they both sighed, looking defeated—at that moment I emerged from the space we’d been painting, introduced myself, and asked what I could do for them.
     Ignito as a woman in much worn painting clothes, I didn’t even faintly resemble their idea of a pastor, and we had a good laugh about that—but they were glad to meet me, and glad to get to sit down with some cold water, while I listened to their story.
    It’s a sad one, to say the least, with loss and illness and near desperation far beyond what most of us can imagine.  I was able to offer them some financial and transportation assistance, due to your generosity in giving to our ELF
(emergency life fund). I think the fact that John and I were there to visit with them was good thing, too.
      You’ll probably hear more about this on Sunday, because there are some real blessings in what Chris and Daryl brought to our awareness yesterday.
     Here are just a couple of ways Jesus made himself known, through these folks:
     In spite of all they’d been through, they both continued to praise God, and give thanks for life, and each other.  And they both could still laugh, and talk about the good stuff of life.  Chris saw John’s LSU cap, asked him what he knew about Louisiana, and the next thing you knew those two were in a deep and celebratory exchange about the delights of Cajun and Creole cooking (and eating).    
       You know this, but I need to say it anyway—those we intend to serve always end up blessing us.  I learn something about God every time I get to represent you, as part of Christ’s body, extending Christ’s love, to a hurting brother or sister.
     I hope Chris and Daryl made it home to Lafayette.  I hope they find some signs of God’s love there, too.
I’m glad I happened to be here on a day when I’m usually not, to be blessed and offer blessing, for Christ’s sake.
      I look forward to blessing, and being blessed with you this Sunday, and all our days to come.

Shalom,

Sarah