Conviction at a Food Pantry

A friend called me and needed some help.  They were out of work, out of gas and out of food.  I knew I could help them with either gas or food, but not both.  Then I remembered that my church, Abundant Life Church has a food pantry on Wednesdays.  I called a friend who helps out with it for the details.  I told my friend, whom we will from this point call this friend Sally, that my church has a food pantry.  They were hesitant at first, of course, but when we talked and I explained that I could give them a gas gift card and would drive her to a couple of places to fill out applications.  But at the end of the day she needed food.  Sally agreed.  I am ashamed to admit that I have given food every now and then, but I haven't faithfully prayed for this ministry, I haven't looked at their needs list and looked for deals to donate on a regular basis, and when I was healthier I didn't volunteer to help.  After going through the process with my friend, and seeing how the people who come in there are treated, spoken to and prayed for, I cannot continue to be lackadaisical. 

We sat next to one gentleman who was very excited about a job interview that he thought went well.  I sat next to a lady whose young child was sick and after she got food for them she was going to take him to Urgent Care.  They needed food for the week and she had to delay that visit for her child to get food, how hard of a choice was that?  There were a good number of senior citizens which made me even more aware of how we tend to forget about them and their lack of ability to work.  Even if they can work, I have seen thorough older friends that they can get passed over for jobs because of their age.

Later on when I was home by myself, I apologized to God.  I apologized for taking for granted the food, He has supplied Wayne & I.  I apologized for not being faithful about taking care of the body He has given me like I should.  I apologized for emotional eating when I know I can cast all of my cares on Him.  I apologized for not following through on ideas of using coupons to donate food & personal care products to the food pantry.  The awful thing is, it wasn't even two years ago when I was looking for a job and a couple of friends were buying me food, when I couldn't.  When I read in the Old Testament I catch myself wondering, how could they forget how God had provided for them and protected them in the past?  There I sat realizing I had done the same, stinking thing.  Yuck!

I'm sharing this for a reason, Abundant Life Church distributes Thanksgiving boxes to those who are ministered by the Abundant Life Food Pantry.  The last I heard they are short about 60 boxes.  Sixty!  6-0!  If you are about to donate one or more of the items on the list below great!  If you are too far away, we can work it out and you can send me money through PayPal and I will buy items for you.  If you can't contribute, get the word out.  PRAY!!!  Pray for the people receiving these boxes.  Pray for the people distributing the boxes. 

Each Box Should Contain:

• A turkey
• 2 cans/jars of turkey gravy
• 1 large can of sweet potatoes
• 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can of French's french fried onions
• 2 boxes of hot roll mix
• 2 boxes of dressing/stuffing
• 2 boxes of instant mashed potatoes
• 1 bag of marshmallows
• 1 jar/can of olives or pickles
• 2 cans of fruit
•  A Large Tub with a Lid

Donations are need by Wednesday November 19th between noon and 6pm.  If you and I can't meet up, you can take your donations to Abundant Life Church 414 SW Persels, Lee's Summit Mo 64081 816-554-8181