Like a Hallmark movie

If you know me very well, you know I don't do the overly emotional, sensationalized, feel-good type of movies. I don't look down on them or think others shouldn't watch them...it's just that I don't often find myself in the mood to cry, so I usually avoid them. Unfortunately, I seemed to find myself on the set of a Hallmark movie the other day (one of the worst offenders for the uninitiated).


Throughout our worship service on Sunday morning, the smells of our annual Thanksgiving potluck wafted through the auditorium, making it seem warm and cozy as we listened to Pastor David's message. After the service drew to a close, tables, chairs, and fall decorations flew into place in a matter of minutes, and it wasn't long before the auditorium was again full with our church family. But this time we sat before steaming plates, enjoying community, fellowship, and more food than we could possibly eat. I had not planned to stay for the meal, but as I walked through the auditorium and out to my car, I regretted my decision. I had thought I'd want the time to run home and change before I had to be back for a 12:30 mini golf outing, but as I drove out of the parking lot, I began to feel sorry for myself. Now I had only half an hour before I had to be back, and I did still need to eat...I told myself I should have just planned to stay in the first place. I'm sure no one would have known or cared that I hadn't signed up to be there or bring any food, but my stubborness won and I left. Reluctantly, I headed to McDonald's on my way home, all the while thinking of the great food I'd just left behind.

Since I was in a hurry, I headed to the drive-thru, only to change my mind last minute and swerve into a parking space. I grabbed my purse and headed in, still feeling a bit on the crabby side. As soon as I got in line, I became aware of the man standing in front of me - he was bent over and leaning on a cane, and I could tell he was wearing at least a couple pairs of pants. His clothing was dirty, and it seemed safe to assume he was going through hard times at best, and most likely had been living on the street. I watched as he pulled several coins out of his pocket and waited to order. Then I noticed the woman standing in front of him in line. Her husband had his back to us, ordering their food, and her two young children stood flanking her on either side. She had turned completely around and was unabashedly staring at the somewhat disheveled man in between us. Her eyes held a mixture of curiousity, caution, disdain...but not a trace of compassion. She held her hands in front of her two children as though he may lunge for one of them at any moment.


Immediately I felt a lump rise in my throat - less than a mile away, my church family was gathered together with more food than they probably knew what to do with, and here in front of me was a man who had exactly 75 cents for his coffee. He asked for 6 creamers - I assumed to make his coffee more filling. I debated whether to risk embarassing him by offering to buy him food, but quickly decided it was worth it and stepped up next to him.


"Can I get you something to go with your coffee?" I asked him.


He turned and looked at me, then his eyes twinkled (I'm not kidding...I told you it was like a Hallmark movie!) and he grinned and said "How about a new pair of legs and a good head of hair?" He laughed at his own joke, then said "No, thank you but I'm ok." He turned around and took his coffee to his seat.


I quickly ordered my food and decided to order him something anyway, but inside I felt conflicted. So many thoughts were running through my head: was I really so spoiled that I thought I was suffering to eat at McDonalds? What must it be like to have people stare at you as though your very presence is a threat to their personal happiness? Why was there more than enough food for the people who already had plenty, and not nearly enough for someone who needed it? How did he have the resiliency to smile and make me laugh when he had more needs than I will probably ever know? And most of all, why had God chosen to use me inspite of my rotten attitude?


Now here's the un-Hallmark moment: I was most bothered by the fact that there was no tidy answer. Was it wrong for our church to gather together in fellowship and enjoy a good meal? No. Whose fault was it that the man in front of me didn't have enough to buy more than a small cup of coffee? Unknowable. What difference did the one meal I bought him make when he doesn't know where his next will come from? And how much impact will this experience truly have on my life? Sure, it may soften my heart for a day, or even a few days, but how long will it take until I am once again consumed by my schedule, my priorities, making sure my needs (wants?) are met?


I drove away from McDonald's feeling as though every detail that day had been carefully orchestrated to jolt my heart out of the wrong direction it was headed in. I didn't feel warm and fuzzy, but I did feel, and that is something I can turn off much too easily. So I guess in retrospect, a good Hallmark movie now and then might be ok.

Restoration

I find this word on my mind often when I think about outreach. To me, it represents everything good that outreach stands for: restore a soul that is lost with the Creator, restore a healthy and stable environment for children and families, restore hope for those who have none, restore community with those who are isolated and lonely, restore lives through discipleship and mentoring. In outreach, restoration means to see the instrinsic value that goes beyond the ravages of sin or circumstances - it seeks to come along side, to teach, and to partner, but does not simply carry.

It guards against the kind of outreach I want to avoid - the transactional, one way kind. The kind that assumes the only thing I can do for someone else is give them something. At first glance this seems charitable and caring, but not far below the surface it exposes the truth: I devalue someone (made in the image of God) by assuming they have nothing they can contribute. If I assume someone is only capable of receiving, I have robbed them of a God-given blessing - the ability to give.

Granted this is a messier way of doing outreach. It means you may have to challenge someone to do something they may think you should do for them. It means getting to know someone well enough to understand the heart of their need, not just the symptom of it. It means operating under true humility as we learn to see the image of God in people who may look, act and believe very differently than us. And above all it means speaking the truth in love. Compassion and grace are essential, but will only bring real restoration when coupled with the saving truth that God has provided a way back into the life He created us for.

Giving Opportunities this Christmas

Hearts for Honduras Gift Drive
The Honduras Mission Team will be visiting an orphanage in Honduras this summer. We are currently collecting Christmas presents for the orphans that live in that orphanage. Please consider purchasing a gift to help bless these children this Christmas. There are only 2.5 more weeks before the gifts are due!

Operation Christmas Adopt-a-family
Through the North Aurora's Mothers Club we have adopted two North Aurora families in need this Christmas. We will need a lot of participation to provide gifts for these families. Please check out the table in the atrium to learn more about how you can participate in this opportunity.

If you have questions please contact Casi Mattox, 630.723.1223, cmattox22@hotmail.com

Honduras Mission Trip Information

Thank you to those of you that attended the Mission Trip Info Meeting. For those of you that are interested in learning more about the trip but were unable to attend here are the details:

TTCC is sending a team to serve orphans in Honduras in the summer of 2010. Honduras is a beautiful country. Mountainous rainforest and tropical beaches make it a traveler's dream. But underneath the exterior beauty exists an orphan crisis. There are approximately 180,000 orphaned children in Honduras. Visiting Orphans is working to alleviate this crisis. Please consider joining us on the mission trip to experience first hand the impact you can make in an orphan's life.

When: July 31st- August 7th 2010

Cost: Approx. $2200
- $100 (with application) due 1/23/10
- $100 due 1/31/10
- Amount of plane ticket due 3/31/10
- Remainder due 6/30/10

Age requirement: Children 9 years old and older are able to go with a parents. Teenagers 15 years old and older are able to go without a parent.

If you need an application or have any questions please contact Casi Mattox, cmattox22@hotmail.com, 630.723.1223.

Hesed House

What a great way to spend a Saturday! God truly does sustain and encourage us, and today was a great reminder of that for me. Despite the numerous things that clamour to be done in our free time, we had a good turn out today at Hesed House. Before serving lunch, we had enough time to get a tour of the facility and learn more about how they operate. We helped prepare and serve food for about 120 people. Thanks to everyone who donated food and time!

This weekend

Second Saturday
This Saturday, November 14th we have the opportunity to serve lunch to the residents at Hesed House. If you are interested in participating please meet at Hesed House (659 S River St, Aurora). There will be a tour of the facilities at 10:15am and then we will begin serving lunch at 11:00am. For more information or if you have questions contact Andy McCann at andymccann72@gmail.com or 630-567-2639.

Honduras Mission Trip Info Meeting
This coming summer TTCC will be sending a team to serve orphans in Honduras. Please pray and seek God's guidance on how you can be a part of this team. You can go, financially support others and/or pray.
To learn more about the trip please attend the information meeting this Sunday, November 15th right after service. The meeting will be brief.