During this time that we remember and celebrate the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, Jake and I received a sacrificial gift today that completely overwhelmed us. I can't even recall it for you now without an enormous lump in my throat.
Jake has a wonderful opportunity to be a part of a transition ministry of sorts at 8:30 every Sunday morning. This group of people is underhoused to say the least--many were completely homeless a few months ago. Our church serves free coffee on Sunday mornings, so a group of 5-10 folks would enjoy the warmth of our welcome center and sip some Joe. Our dear friend, Scott, took an interest in these precious people, and he committed to lead a Sunday School group just for them. The group has multiplied so that almost every seat in the welcome center is taken by these friends. Sorry stuffy suit, comfy, church-y people looking for a seat on the leather sofas. There's a new sheriff in town, and he smells nothing like you.
Last week Jake shared with the group about our adoption plans. We want to ask specific people to pray for specific things about the entire process, so knowing that the 8:30 class are our friends with very little means, Jake felt like he could ask them to pray about the finances needed for adoption without feeling like he was manipulating them in any way. They are some prayin' peeps, and that's what we need most.
Today a couple from the class approached Jake with a $5 bill. "We were given $10 to put gas in our car this week. We went to the gas station to use all $10, but as I was filling the car, I really felt like I need to use only $5 and give the remaining $5 to you guys for your adoption."
WHAT?!?!?! This couple lives in a shelter, and $5 might as well be $5,000. Of course Jake accepted their gift of enormous, selfless faith, but what do you say to that kind of sacrifice? We are so humbled and grateful, but as I tuck my children into their separate rooms in clean pj's after using hundreds of gallons of clean water for baths and scraping pounds of food scraps into the trash, I can't quite reconcile it.
Today we rejoice over the unimaginable gift of grace in Jesus, and we didn't deserve it for a second. Today we personally rejoice over an unimaginable gift of obedience from our very special friends, and we didn't deserve that either.
Team Stum
8 comments:
wow!---so beautiful! thanks so much for sharing! what you're doing is so contagious and the ONE you're following is drawing so many to Himself through your growing family! i know you had a most blessed easter! :)
I love that story, and for it to come at this time of year is unimagineable. God rocks, that is for sure!
Unbelievable sacrifice in the face of difficulty... perfect Easter story.
That gave me a lump too! Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? James 2:5
Wow..what a beautiful story!! Thanks for sharing..it brought tears to my eyes!! Kristi
Tears! Thank you so much for sharing that incredible story!! What a privlege to be used in God's story on the Earth!! Love to you, Gillian
Amazing love and complete unselfishness. May God so bless that couple for their giving!! What a wonderful ministry y'all are part of. God is truly using you in a great way! Love it!
Um...so basically, I can't even see right now for the tears in my eyes...wow. When you get a chance, let me know about tees that you guys might wanna do - we'd like to try and cover most of the cost. AND then you guys could mark them up...at least...THREE HUNDRED PERCENT...and totally make bank. LOL! Love you guys...
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