“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)

Back in 2012, less than a month after coming to work for Nashville Rescue Mission, we celebrated our Great Thanksgiving Meal. At that time, the women and children were bussed over to the chapel to join the men, and we followed our familiar format—Life Recovery Program Celebration, remarks from Glenn, remarks from the Mayor of Nashville, a blessing, then lunch. I was taking it all in, including visiting the dining room to witness the seemingly endless scores of volunteers lining up to serve the even greater numbers of guests and program participants. Each diner received a heaping tray of turkey, dressing, all the traditional fixings, and desserts (yes, plural). Each person without exception was loaded up with food that a volunteer would lovingly carry to their table. As I watched the children dig into this mountain of food, eating mostly the desserts, of course, I had a “brilliant” idea. With my four weeks of experience at the Mission, plus being a parent myself, I went to our Director of Operations who oversaw our kitchens and suggested that we not give the kids so much food because they were wasting it. You would have thought I spoke blasphemy! Not on his watch. These children experiencing homelessness were going to have a Thanksgiving to remember, with more good food than they could imagine, for at least this one special day.

I felt properly chastised, and I learned something in the process about our good God. This bounty of food at Thanksgiving was a symbol of the abundant life we have in Jesus. We know that God is the giver of all good things (James 1:17). We know that he is a God of unmerited favor (Psalm 84:11) and abundance (John 10:10), giving us so much more than we deserve.

May we, during this season of hospitality, likewise show radical love and hospitality to all we meet without regard to their ability to return the favor. Perhaps it’s a kind and thoughtful word to someone who has been rude to us. Perhaps is a generous and even anonymous gift to someone who cannot or will not return the favor (After all, is giving a gift only to get one in return really a gift?). Perhaps it’s spending time with someone who cannot get out, especially during bad weather. Note that the use of the term “spending” with regard to time is not an accident. Spending time, money, talents, or doing any of the other kind and thoughtful things we might do—in the name of Jesus—is really an investment in our eternal future. Of course, we don’t do any of these things in order to earn God’s favor, but because of His favor (Ephesians 2:8-10).

“I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing. (Malachi 3:10-CEV)

In Christ,

Judy