Good morning!
Today, I will meet with a first cousin
whom I haven’t seen for about 60 years.
I was a teen the last time we were together, and time and distance have
kept us apart ever since then. She’s
coming to Kansas this week, and we will meet in Hesston for lunch and get
re-acquainted.
Her dad was my mother’s older
brother. I know that in our brief visit
we won’t be able to go through all sixty years of separation, but it will be
good to see her and visit for a time.
Some of you may be wondering why I
would want to visit a cousin I hadn’t seen in six decades. Well, if you are familiar with my Mennonite
heritage, you may know that Mennonites are known for keeping track of
relatives, family histories, and maintaining relationships with even what many
would call “shirt-tail” relatives. It’s
just kind of a “thing” that we do. Second
cousins once-removed are family, just as are aunts and uncles. And first cousins…well…they’re part of the
“close family” that we claim. So, when
this opportunity arose to meet up with my cousin, I jumped at the chance and
she agreed. I think it will be a great
visit.
The first of next week, a celestial
phenomenon will take place…a total eclipse of the sun that will be visible
through the heart of the US. Happening
on Monday, the eclipse has received more publicity than the Super Bowl, and
will be viewed by millions. The totality
path just happens to pass over several large population centers, and is quite
extensive and long-lasting, compared to other eclipses.
If the weather is good, we will go to
the Dallas area where my brother lives…his home is in the path of
totality. However, early forecasts are
saying that area will be covered with clouds and the eclipse will not be
visible. We will wait until probably
Saturday for the updated forecast, then decide whether or not to make the
trip. But even if we stay in the Wichita
area, we will be able to experience an 85% or so partial eclipse, which in
itself will be special.
And, I’ve seen an eclipse…the one in
2017 that passed through Nebraska. If I
don’t see this one, it won’t be the end of the world. It would just be nice to be able to see one
more in this lifetime.
On a more serious note, as you may
know, I handle most of the benevolence requests that we receive at RiverWalk
Church. We have policies and procedures
in place to operate that program in ways that we believe will provide the most
benefit and do the most good. There are
many churches and agencies that work with those who are in need. Food pantries, places that serve hot meals,
agencies that help with rent, basic medical needs, clothing, laundry, and other
needs are available. We decided we didn’t
need to re-invent the wheel, so we have tailored our benevolence to help in
ways that not many other programs do. We
like to primarily help those who are
housed, but may be in danger of losing their housing because of an inability to
pay a utility bill or purchase fuel for a vehicle so they can go to work,
medical appointment, or school. Our
resources are limited monetarily, and we can’t help everyone with
everything. We do what we can with what
we have. And, although we have some
leeway in our benevolent help guidelines, we try to adhere to them as much as
possible.
One thing we insist on is that the
person requesting help come to the building for an interview. It is important for us to meet them, and for
them to know where the assistance is coming from. It is also an opportunity for us to dig a
little deeper into their situation and perhaps offer some guidance, and even
spiritual help if they are agreeable.
So, it happens that sometimes we hear of
a benevolent need which is certainly genuine, but we have to decline because
the need is not in accordance with our guidelines, or the need is much greater
than we are able to help with. That
decision is usually mine alone to make, and is not a decision I make
lightly. I know something of the real
world these people are living in. I am
well aware of the daily struggles to just find a meal or a place to stay for
the night. I am cognizant of the high
cost of utilities, food, and transportation.
And I often hear defeat and tones of yet another rejection in the voices
of those I’ve had to decline. So, it’s
not something that I approach with a cavalier attitude. Nor is having to decline help something I
enjoy, especially when children or physically or mentally challenged
individuals are involved.
Those kinds of interactions…the ones
when I have to decline help…happen regularly.
And each time they happen, I mentally review the situation and ask myself
if I did the right thing. I know that I
will be held to account for what I do in these situations…if not from the
church, I know that I will ultimately have to answer to God for my decisions. It is an awesome thing, and also a bit scary,
to know of the responsibility I carry for the decisions I make.
Take care the rest of this week. Don’t look at the sun without eye
protection. Check up on relatives you
may not have heard from in awhile. And
above all, be kind one to another and love your neighbor as yourself. As the Jackie Deshannon song says, “What the
world needs now is love, sweet love.”
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