If you are not a Christian, or don’t even like Christians, you still have to admit that they are the most giving group of believers you know. Our church, Immanuel Baptist, just put on a production they call “The Christmas Experience”, which required an incredible amount of volunteer hours to pull off. The intention was to create ‘a happening’ so that people who don’t normally come into a church, would feel comfortable participating and hopefully like what they experienced and come back to learn more and more. Sometimes these events can smack of commercialism and superficiality, but hey, you have to give them credit for trying something. I helped for three hours setting up the Candyland Game activity Sat. morning because they provided child care. But I worked even harder during the hour and forty-five minutes of the actual “experience” taking my six year old and two year old grandsons from activity to activity by myself. There was a lot of waiting in line. A lot of carrying the two year old and coats and diaper bag. But they loved it and hopefully they will have a happy memory. My favorite part was seeing people that I have known for years giving of their time and energy out of love for others. They worked so hard. They walk their talk. Because in my opinion, if a person is humble enough to serve children (and others who are powerless in our society), then they truly love God. No matter what church they attend. Sure, some people may serve to ‘look’ good, when really they are doing it for selfish reasons. Time is the test for those people.

This blog’s theme is God centered service because that is my goal and what I am looking for in the staff that will be working at Grace Place. Let’s be honest here, there can be no other motivation for doing what needs to be done for those who cannot do it for themselves, if it is to be done with dignity and respect. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet as an example of how we are to serve others. There are other parts of our bodies that must be washed, too.

Here is one of the pictures I took as we were setting up the Candyland Game activity. I did not mean for it to be funny when I took the photo, but when I was reviewing my pictures, I realized this was too funny not to share. I have permission from the subject to post this since he is too blurry to recognize! A little humor goes a long way to keep us healthy  if we are careful not to hurt anyone’s feelings.