Telling a Story

Once a month, we and the girls help at a food distribution center here in town. It’s a little different concept than one might normally think. It’s totally private with no government funding. There is no income or other test in order to benefit. No questions are asked other than basic contact information and how many and which order packages one wants. We work in the area where people come to make up their packages and pick up their groceries. We also help carry out the groceries to waiting vehicles.
It is interesting to see folks come in and try to imagine what life might be like for them. Some come in with walkers or canes. Others bring munchkin kids along. Some seem to have it together, or at least they try to make us think so. Still others tell part of their story to the workers as they go around making up their orders. And a few even come by public transportation to take advantage of the reduced prices for food staples.
The condition of the vehicles many times continues the story. A few are spotless. Many are cluttered with children’s toys and baby seats. Some are downright dirty. Some are newer…some are older. Some are in good condition…some are dropping pieces of themselves on the road as they travel along.
Everyone has a story. Everyone has a history. I’m sure we’ve seen abusers and the abused. I know we’ve seen poverty and want. We’ve also seen people grateful that they don’t have to lay out their life history in order to receive help and can bolster their dignity just a bit with the few minutes of contact they have with the workers.
Everyone also has a future. For many, the future isn’t very bright. They may have a terminal illness, be on the brink of bankruptcy, or anticipating a divorce. Some may be resigning themselves to the fact that their spouse will come home drunk and beat them tonight. They’re wondering if they’ll be able to protect their kids.
Some don’t think about their future. They’ve never been taught to think beyond the next hour or so. Others may not want to think about the future because they know that it doesn’t promise to be good.
Still others may not know what the future here holds, but know their eternal future is safe and secure in the unchanging Creator of the Universe. Rich or poor, sick or healthy, black or white, married or single, these people know that something better awaits and look forward to that Day when there will be no more sickness, death, disease, abuse, hunger, or terror. “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”