New

Several months ago, a young man came to the Community Table Food Pantry with his small child.  They had just arrived in town the day before and had no food or gas, he did not have work, and they were staying with the only person here they knew.  I welcomed them to our little town and enjoyed our conversation as I prepared their food box and drove them to their home.  This little family was coming out of a very tough situation and was looking to start anew. 

Today I ran into this same young man in his place of work (the same job he had been hoping for when I met him).  We recognized one another and he and came to say hello and shake my hand and Eric's, telling my husband that he had met me at "the church."  He has work, his child is well, and they just moved into their own home.  Things are great, he said.  He smiled, said he needed to get back to work, wished us well and walked off.

As I turned, my eyes welled with tears of gratitude for having had the opportunity to meet this lovely person during a difficult time, then be able to see the goodness that showed up in his life later.  I give thanks that he was indeed able to start a new life in this community.  Though many come to the church once and don't return, I am reminded that faith communities that seek to extend God's love and welcome have an impact on people that is not soon forgotten.  And even if it is forgotten, we have still played a small part in their lives and in the work God is doing in them, as they have also played a part in the work God is doing in us!  What a gift. 

May each day in this new year be a new start for all of us.