A Living Witness

So, my dear children, don't let anyone divert you from

the truth.  It's the person who acts right who is right...

1 John 3:7 [The Message]

The other day, I walked into my office from another part of the church, only to discover a small plastic baggie sitting in the middle of my desk, filled with grapes and strawberries.  It had not been a particularly cheerful day, and I was not exactly feeling chipper, but the sight of that little gift put a huge smile on my face.  There was no need to wonder who had dropped off the fruit - I knew immediately who had visited my small corner of the world.  The giver is well known to all of us who work at Beulah, because we have all been recipients of these little treasures that appear out of nowhere.  There is never any fanfare or hoopla - no taking of credit for the giving - just a heart full of love that loves to share and care.

Sometimes the gift on my desk is a box of gluten-free cookies or a bag of GF pretzels.  Most of my friends have difficulty even understanding everything that I can and cannot eat with that condition.  Not June.  She has listened and remembered, and is willing to pay the high price tag attached to those specialty foods in order to brighten my day.  She spreads her kindness and love all across the church landscape - behind the scenes, if possible.  She testifies to her faith and love for Christ in a thousand ways without saying a word.

St. Francis of Assisi is credited with saying:

Preach the Gospel at all times,

and if necessary, use words.

It is not what we say, but who we are that trumpets our belief system to a watching world.  My father always said, "Actions speak louder than words," and the truth of that axiom is born out every day in every corner of our planet.  St. Francis is also credited with this prayer that details how we live a life of witness to the world:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek 

to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.