80 Beautiful Promises

For almost a year, we have been going to the Plaza feeding the homeless, while building a community of friends. Before we began going, God was very clear about how “not” to minister. He said, “Don’t take Bibles, and don’t openly preach or exhibit ‘religion’ in the slightest.” This pretty much eliminated ALL assemblage communication, including prayer. Some people get offended by this. FYI: that’s religion.

Too often, many express hurt because some who minister there generate an atmosphere that make the people feel less than normal, inadequate, inferior… like a project, a Christian pitch. They get a condemning message, a cold sandwich, and zero community for their time.

Love never fails.

However, the last couple of weeks have been different. Jesus is saying, “Now is the time; The Kingdom of God is at hand.”

Last weekend, 08/21/10, was a MESS. A literal Disaster… so I thought. For the first time ever, all our food was unsuitable to serve. Our casseroles were raw, the grits were souuuupy, we were out of supplies, and it was beginning to rain. What’s more, we were considerably late in arriving to the Plaza, but what would be the use anyway? The food was ruined. I was sitting in my car with the window down in the parking lot of Albertson’s, all but crying. I didn’t know what to do. I looked to the sky to pray, and there was the prettiest rainbow. Right there staring me in the face.

The promise.

All through His Word, God has promised to take care of the poor, the broken, and the needy. He loves them with an everlasting love. He also says those who close their eyes (ignores) to the poor will receive many curses.

That day in the parking lot, He called the 80-ish people we feed “80 Beautiful Promises.”

God has promised that He will always provide for our friends at the Plaza. He has. The rainbow spoke directly to my heart! I took authority over the morning, and took off in the Spirit! It reminded me of an experience I had with Fish & Loaves at Christmas 2002. Read that blog HERE.

Miraculously… hahaha…. GOD… the rain stopped immediately, the casseroles came together (but not the grits), and the rainbow has more to it’s story.

We got to the plaza and I felt so frazzled. We set up our supplies as usual, and the LORD said, “PRAY.” This was new. The only time we had prayed before was on holidays. I hollered to the crowd, “Can we pray?” There was a shaking in my voice. They all knew I was upset. I needed Jesus.

“Absolutely!” they all said. Heads bowed, “Father, (*gasp* receiving a breath of peace) Thank you for giving us one more day. Thank you for the beautiful rainbow of promise in the sky this morning.” At that, EVERYONE said YEEESSS!! They had seen and received the rainbow, too. It was pretty incredible!

We started serving the food.

It was pretty amusing. So many people came up to me, patting me on the back, “umm umm umm, the food sure was good today!” HAHAHAHA – LIES!

Pops (one of many) had said he almost left because he didn’t know if we were coming. But Bernard stopped him and said the most amazing thing to me. Looking me in the eyes, he said, “We knew you were coming. You are always here. You are so faithful.”

– BAM – My heart melted. It wasn’t me at all. Left to me, I am a perplexed basket-case crying in a parking lot. God was and is the faithful one. And, left to me, I’d like to sleep in instead of getting up at the crack of dawn on a Saturday. But, I can’t. There is such incentive from God’s love that leads me with such eagerness week after week.

This day, I discovered on a new level, they love ME, and I love THEM! It’s not the food at all; it’s the love, the consistency, the authenticity. This December, I will officially have been doing homeless ministry for eight years. I’m so grateful to have not given up when my life took a turn. I am reaping the benefits of LOVE on this day! Love NEVER fails!!!