It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
There was food. Plenty of it. Food science had yielded impressive gains. But infrastructure was needed to get it to those needing it most.
There was wealth. At least in this land, so very much prosperity. But that wealth was held by fewer and fewer. Leaving more and more on the outside, looking in.
There were healers. The list of the brokenness they could mend grew by the day. But who could afford such extravagance? Fewer and fewer still.
There were medicines. Chemical combinations capable of curing all kinds of ills. But who would receive these healing balms? The makers set their prices, opened their markets, prepared to help anyone who could pay.
There were vaccines. On the way, and soon. Giving great hope to many. But were outgoing rulers sharing all they knew with those soon to replace them? The people staked their lives on that hope. But truth be told they weren’t really quite sure.
There were devices. Devices to connect, to play, to amuse. But the handheld toys came with side effects just beginning to be understood. For they were also devices to frustrate, to isolate, to depress.
There were promises. That all men, and women, and children were created equal. That the color of your skin didn’t much matter. That you could marry who you loved, without exception. But promises were broken, and often. How much promise did these promises still hold? The people wondered. Then they wondered some more.
It was a season of Darkness.
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But it, too, was a season of Light.
A light that shined in the darkness.
And the darkness did not overcome it.
For a star, brighter than any before, illuminated the heavens. Wise men, women and children then followed that star, curious to see where the light might lead.
They brought with them their food, wealth, healers, medicines, vaccines, devices, promises. They laid them all at the foot of the manger. Near an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. They then prayed. That what they carried with them on this journey be not burden, but blessing.
A blessing for all people, without exception.
These are the best of times, these are the worst of times.
In the midst of so much unsettled still, may we, too, set our sights on the star. May we too, begin our journey anew.
Melanie and Tyler Tapajna had their wedding particulars all figured out. From the venue to the dress to the food to the dancing, they were ready. It was to be a magnificent day. But the pair had a problem; the wedding was slated for August 2020. Which made gathering safely tricky at best. When the couple from Parma, Ohio, received word the picturesque spot they’d booked for their nuptials would not be open they were disappointed, but not surprised.
Even worse, they’d prepaid for food to feed 150 of their family and friends. They could have tried to find another venue and invited everyone, but Melanie said it just didn’t make sense. Instead, she had an idea and turned to her finance with a question. “What would you think of donating the food instead?”
Tyler loved the idea.
A plan soon emerged.
The couple reached out to Laura’s Home, a Cleveland shelter for single women and mothers with children, and arranged to have their caterer deliver a meal worth about $2,000 to 135 people.
The soon-to-be newlyweds had but one request. After saying their I do’s in front of a dozen family members, they wanted to serve the meal at the shelter themselves. The shelter agreed.
On their big day they married in front of a dozen family members. After the ceremony, the couple, still in their formal wedding attire, drove to the shelter, met the food truck owner, and prepared to serve. They fed the multitude, dishing out fried chicken, mac ‘n cheese, green beans and potato salad, topping it off with chocolate cake for dessert.
Little girls stood on their tiptoes to see Melanie’s wedding gown. Single women and mothers expressed their heartfelt thanks. The shelter’s director smiled, saying, “welcome to your wedding reception.”
The day turned out to be magnificent after all.
Tyler and Melanie Tapajna after their wedding ceremony that afternoon.
Celebrating among people they’d never met, each with so many needs, a new reality becomes clear. For the shelter residents were hungry. And had been given food. Really good food.
With each piece of chicken plated, each mac ‘n cheese scooped, another had been served. For Christ was there. Present in the 135 hungry that filled their bellies that day.
Feet
A decade ago David and Randy had a different kind of problem. The two friends had six-figure salaries working in media and tech companies. But they wanted more. More meaning that is. It was a problem money alone simply couldn’t solve.
Then one day a Facebook fundraising campaign grabbed David’s attention. From it he learned something new: socks were the most requested item in homeless shelters. How could this need be better met?
Knowing some companies use a buy one, give one away model, the pair wondered if the approach could be applied to socks.
So they got to work. During product development they gave sample socks to homeless shelters and requested feedback. Can you make it more durable? And in darker colors to hide stains? Is there any way the socks can help prevent the growth of fungus too?
They were big asks.
The two soon realized socks made for the homeless needed features very different than those they would soon make for sale. So they invested another six months into R&D, working alongside their charity partners. All to develop a very specific sock for a very specific need.
It’s part of the mission they’ve had since day one: to help those experiencing homelessness. For everyone, their website says, no matter their circumstances, deserves to put on clean clothes that feel good.
They then turned to Indiegogo to raise funds, quickly netting ten times more than their hoped-for $10,000 investment. That led to an opportunity to appear on the show Shark Tank, where they cut a deal with investor Daymond John. Their altruistic approach had swayed hearts, minds, wallets.
Early on they settled on a company name: Bombas, Latin for bumblebee. Bees are small, but have a big impact on the world. Their slogan, “Bee Better” is stitched into every sock they make. It’s a great reminder that we can do more with simple, seemingly small everyday actions too.
And what an impact it’s made. The two now partner with over 2,500 community organizations to distribute their socks to the homeless. How many pairs have been donated? In only seven years the number just might surprise. Over 42 million.
It’s hard not to celebrate a success story that helps so many. Looked at in the right light another truth emerges. For the shelter residents had feet that were naked. And had been given socks. Really good socks.
With each pair purchased, given and worn, with each step taken in them, another had been served. For Christ was there. 42 million times over. Walking alongside the least of these, step by step by step.
Care
Vietnam veteran Joe Tasby was admitted to a Nevada hospital in March. He, too, had a problem. Joe struggled with lung disease and a heart arrhythmia and needed expert care. Fortunately, Joe, who is blind, had his trusty guide dog Cupid by his side.
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That’s when Barbara Borbeck “swooped in and came to the rescue — she took good care of us,” Joe recalls.
Each day for nearly three weeks, Barbara, the hospital’s medical-surgical and telemetry director, helped Joe care for his beloved guide dog. “She came in first thing every morning and took him for a walk all around the hospital as she did her rounds, made sure he got outside, to get some air and exercise. She made sure he had food and treats.” Joe recalls.
“Everything Cupid needed she took care of.”
Barbara’s dedication to Cupid and Joe extended far beyond hospital walls. When Cupid’s kibble ran low she traveled to nine different area stores to find the special food. Instead, she encountered only empty shelves.
But Barbara didn’t give up. The nurse drove 40 minutes one morning before her shift to a store that had the food in stock, ensuring Cupid had the right dinner.
Cupid began to grow fond of his helper during the hospital stay, waiting at the door each day for her to arrive, greeting her with a wagging tail. “Cupid can usually tell if people have a good spirit,” says Joe. No doubt, Barbara has a great spirit.
After 21 days Joe was given a clean bill of health, and discharged from the hospital, with Cupid by his side. Nurse Barbara was there too, walking them out the front door all the way to the car.
Joe Tasby and his seeing-eye dog Cupid
It’s a heartwarming story, no doubt. Yet seen a certain way the picture becomes more complete. For Joe was sick. Cupid needed help. And Barbara had cared for them both. Time and time again.
With each medicine given, each dog walk, every kibble search, another had been served. For Christ was there. Right by her side. Present in each healing, caring act Barbara performed.
Close
This year, more than most, it can be a little harder to see Christ among us. We often find our focus turned inward to –
Instead, let us shift our gaze outward, to –
The hungry,
The thirsty,
The stranger,
The naked,
The sick,
The imprisoned,
The other.
For when we –
Feed,
Quench,
Welcome,
Clothe,
Care,
And visit –
the least of these,
who are members of the Father’s family,
we meet more than just human need.
In these acts we serve another. We serve Christ. A Christ present with us, in the flesh, taking on human form. In these moments, of service to the other, we encounter nothing less than the kingdom of God. Amen.
We are an impatient people. And many of our wait times are only getting shorter.
It used to be multiple months between a film’s theatre release and when it could be seen at home. Now it’s mere weeks or even the same day. Instant gratification, from the comfort of a favorite couch.
Not too long-ago mail-order purchases often took 4-6 weeks to arrive. Now if it doesn’t arrive in a couple of days, with free shipping no less, we get antsy.
This week we excitedly watched screens, refreshed pages, anticipated hoped-for results on the horizon. When news took longer than normal to arrive – hello COVID counting complexities – we couldn’t help but be on edge.
The parable of the ten maidens also features some impatient people. And for good reason: a grand wedding was on the horizon. Being part of the bridal party, the maidens were, of course, excited. Outfits had been selected; alterations complete. Jewelry adorned; hair coifed just so. The maidens couldn’t hardly wait for the big party to begin.
And they had their lamps. This was important. For the maidens were essential workers playing a crucial role. They were to be the bearers of light, helping scatter the darkness. Without their light this grand celebration simply wouldn’t be.
But the wedding didn’t begin as soon as they’d hoped. The bridegroom was delayed. Day turned to evening, turned to night. The maidens grew impatient. The maidens grew tired. The maidens then slept.
And then, still deep in slumber, a shout rang out. The bridegroom approaches! The maidens awoke, and prepared to greet him. They grabbed their lamps. But there was a problem: while waiting their oil had run low. The light they offered now grew dim.
Some were prepared, possessing extra fuel to see them through.
Others had not, and frantically ran to get more.
By the time the unprepared found fuel and returned, the wedding banquet had begun. The unprepared were now on the outside, looking in, at a party already in progress.
They realized their purpose, why they’d been invited in the first place –
To be the bearers of light,
helping scatter the darkness all around,
no longer applied. For the moment, for them, had already passed.
We are an impatient people. We find ourselves excitedly looking toward future celebrations, promises of better tomorrows. It’s natural to want to just get there already.
Waiting is hard.
Yet waiting is necessary.
And more important than the waiting itself? How we go about it.
May we wait well.
May we prepare well.
As we look out on –
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– a government re-forming,
Let me encourage you, people of God:
Accept the call handed to you from on high.
Pick up your lamps.
Be the bearers of light.
Help scatter the darkness all around.
Don’t hibernate.
Don’t wait for it to magically go away.
We don’t know how long this night will last.
It may be more marathon than a short sprint.
Still, we believe, morning will come.
So refuel, frequently.
Don’t let your tank run empty.
Sleep when you need.
But still stay woke.
As we wait, may we embrace the awakening. Becoming more aware of the world around. For God desires to refresh, renew, and reincarnate all of it.
As we wait, may we bear Christ’s light by blessing –
– the poor in spirit, weary from years of challenge;
– those who mourn, grieving the loss of too many, too soon;
– the hungry and thirsty, nourishing their body, feeding their soul;
– the peacemakers, seeking to unite warring factions all around;
– those persecuted for their gender, nationality, skin color, or who they love.
Earthly leaders will fail us, no matter who they are.
This is our past, our present, our future.
Instead, we look for salvation elsewhere. We set our sights to the source from which we draw hope. We follow the path that hope illuminates, from above.
For when we bear Christ’s light, by blessing others, the darkness can’t help but dissipate. Leaving in its wake a glimpse of the garden. As it once was, and can be, again. Amen.
