Welcome to a typical day of business at the Lawrenceville Co-op.  The front door will be opening soon.  All the volunteers have gathered and it is time to circle up in prayer.  Our leader, Linda Freund, takes us into the presence of the one we serve, Jesus Christ.  She is thankful for what we have.  She calls this “God’s provision for the day”.  God is showing us how to focus on “this” day without looking ahead in anxiousness to “that” day.  As each heart beats around our circle, I pause to consider the goodness of the Lord.  How each volunteer is in God’s plan for this day.  We represent different denominations.  We are all different in so many ways.  Yet, exactly the same in our commitment to be the hands, feet, mouth, and heart of Jesus to a world who so desperately needs Him.

The front doors open and the people flood in.  So many needs.  We recognize that God has called them to us as much as we have been called to them.  That He has heard the cry and that He has made provision.  That provision reaches back and out.  Reaches back to our wonderful supporting churches who send volunteers, financial support, and conduct food drives.  Reaches back to the individual church member who lugged in a back of food to be donated.  Perhaps reaches back even to you, yourself.  And it reaches out.  To that single mom who is scrapping by.  To that elderly widow.  To that precious grandmother who is raising her grandchildren on a fixed income.  Or to that proud father, who has been broken after months of unemployment and fruitless job searches.  To that homeless man who feels at home in our midst.  To that refugee family fleeing an oppressive government.  And yes, even to those who are victims of themselves and their own poor choices.  God does not show favoritism in His love.  And aren’t we thankful?

There is good news to be heard this day!  There is love to give.  There is hope to be found.  There is encouragement to be spread.  Each and every time the Lord gives me the opportunity to sit across from a client, I feel transformed by His incredible love.  I am blessed to help bear the burden of a fellow human being.  I am blessed to reach out and hold a hand wet with tears, to befriend a small child, to communicate the love of my Lord, to listen and to truly hear.

Many people are passing through the doors this day.  Record numbers, in fact.  The Lord is doing a mighty work.  Light bills are being paid.  Heat is being turned back on.  Prescriptions for high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and nebulizer medicines are now able to be filled.  Prayers are lifted and hope is renewed.  So much need.

The hectic pace is winding down as the doors are locked for the day.  A woman turns back to tell me that she appreciates the co-op and that she loves us.  She not only will leave with a full stomach, but also with a full heart. 

As I back out of the driveway to head home, I know just how she feels.  With an overflowing heart, I am humbled once again by God’s provision for this day.