This Is Why I Do This

            I had arrived the day before in Charleston, West Virginia. The trip had been long and exhausting with three layovers in three different airports. I spent the night in a local motel to make the ninety mile trip to where I was headed.

            When I arrived in the little West Virginia community I realized that I didn’t know where I was going. I had to ask for help. The directions were simple.

            “Follow this here road and turn right past the house where the Hatfield’s shot at the McCoy family during the great Hatfield/McCoy feud. Continue down the holler, when you come to the crick either ford it or cross it over the wooden bridge. I think the bridge will hold your weight, it was damaged in the recent flood. Keep on going, don’t mind the water over the road, the holes aren’t that deep – just take it easy. Don’t mind the bears if you see any, we haven’t in awhile. It’s at the end of the holler where the road ends, cross the crick again and you are there.”

            I saw the twinkle in her eye and then followed the directions. I drove until the road ended and turned into the creek bed. The creek bed had been the old wagon trail that early settlers and explorers had taken up into the mountains. An old Indian burial ground was located further up the mountainside.

            There was heavy moisture in the atmosphere from the torrential rains that had fallen the night before. The house was at the end of the holler. It was modest but very well kept. Greeted by Sister Jean, introductions were made and I knew that I had met a part of my family... the family of God. I was warmly received. A special peace permeated the dwelling.

            The rest of the Mission Team soon arrived, a missionary working in this area of the Appalachian mountains, a pastor and a group of teens from Michigan. They were tired. After loading the 20 foot truck with furniture, clothing and food for distribution, they rode all night in the church bus to work during their school’s spring break. We were here on a mission for God; a mission to serve others. We would meet the people of the community tomorrow.

            Dan, Sister Jean’s husband came in. He had been running his dogs in the woods. I asked if he had seen any bears or snakes and he said, “You gotta be careful in these hills.” I said, “We have hills in Arkansas, these are mountains.” I shared how the day before, I had prayerfully looked out of the window of the aircraft as it was making its descent into Charleston, West Virginia. I saw no airstrip on flat ground on which to land, when suddenly it appeared beneath the clouds on top of the mountain as the wheels touched the ground. It was one of those times, I was sure Jesus meant, “Lo I am with you always.” We all laughed together.

       Jean began to serve a meal that had been carefully and prayerfully prepared. She smiled as she asked if I liked banana pudding. Ain’t God good?  Banana pudding is one of my favorites. She was the perfect hostess, worried about our every need. Jean was a mixture of Martha and Mary in the flesh. She was concerned about our comfort yet wanted to hear more about the love of Jesus. As we sat around the table in the house at the end of the “holler” in the shadows of the mountains that surrounded us, a special bond between this old Arkansas boy and the Appalachian people was birthed.

       The Holy Spirit warmed the house with His presence as Sister Jean began to sing a song the Lord had given her. The words were rich with emotion and passion as she sang of what God’s love meant to her.

       All too quickly, it was soon time to say good night. I realized I had not once heard a siren of an emergency vehicle. I had not heard the gunfire of drive by shootings. As I lay my head on the pillow, I heard the gentle, soothing sounds of the mountain stream as it passed down the “crick bed.” I was soon fast asleep.

       I woke up refreshed and ready for the day of ministry. We met the teens at the Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department and began to unload the truck, waiting for the give-away to begin. The sound system for the service had been set up and the homemade chili and hot dogs for lunch was heated up. It was time. People began arriving and receiving the much needed clothing and furniture. The truck had been full but we soon realized there was a problem. There was not enough to meet the needs. There was a need for more sofas and chairs, washing machines, beds, bicycles, and wood burning stoves. These were not greedy people, these were needy people.  Nearly one-third of the people who live in this county are below the poverty level.

       In an area known for the Rocket Boys and the infamous Hatfield/McCoy feud is a region known for its rural poverty and depression. The closing of the mines and lack of other resources has had an effect on all who live here. Many of the schools are closing and consolidating throughout this region in West Virginia.

       I see the need and sometimes wonder if the effort is worth it. I observed as different persons came through the line. I noticed this one young girl and on her face was a mixture of skepticism and shyness as she watched me. A smile broke across her face as I gave her the little toy. “Mister, I saw Jesus here today,” she said. I replied, “You did?” “Yes, He came with you folks.” That explained it all. This is why I do this.

Remembering The Reason
For The Season

      How would you feel if your family spent weeks planning the festivities for your birthday and then forgot to invite you? When the big day came you were left out in the cold. Those invited had a great time but the point was missed by all, the guest of honor wasn’t there. Those invited brought presents for each other and to top it off, most gifts were all kinds of stuff the other person didn’t even need! 
      Let me ask you, wouldn't you find it odd if when your birthday came along, all your friends decided to celebrate it by giving each other presents and never gave you a thing? Recently many in America celebrated a birthday and the one whose birthday it was, wasn’t invited.
      Many celebrated but missed the point of the celebration. We must always remember the reason for the season – Jesus! Someone once told me, "Well, Jesus is not here in the flesh, so how can we give Him a present?" 
      Jesus has already given His answer for that, give gifts of food and clothing to the poor, help those who need it. Go visit the lonely! Any gift you give to your needy fellow man, I'll count as if you gave it to me personally. (See Matthew 25:34-40) 
      Jesus is the reason for the season and this is what we must remember.

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

        There is nothing quite like sitting before the fireplace, where a nice warm fire is crackling. My feet are propped on the ottoman. In my hand I have a cup of hot spiced tea. In the corner stands the Christmas tree decked in all of its beauty, lights keeping rhythm with the carols playing in the background on the CD player. Outside the chill of the winter wind softly blows and a gentle snow begins to fall. A Nativity is the central focus of the room with every figure of the Christmas story in its proper place.
      I look at the figures of Mary and Joseph, in contrast to the apparel of the Wise Men they look like refugees seeking for a place to call home. In reality they were. At the moment they were facing an overwhelming tax burden, the expense of an unexpected trip at a very inconvenient time, the last few days of pregnancy, and yet in the fullness of time they became the central figures of the Father's plan. I am in awe of Joseph, who so willingly becomes the foster father of a child not his own but the Son of the Most High. What an awesome responsibility to take on.
      The Wise Men in all of their elegant robes, humble and yield themselves in worship of the new born King. Alongside of them are the shepherds, the peasantry; gathered together, the rich and the poor at the feet of Jesus; each coming to bring their best gift to the Christ child. True worship bonds together, uniting one another in the Father's love.
      Gazing at the figure of the Christ child wrapped in the swaddling clothes and lying in the manger, I am reminded of the Father's love. He loved me so much I scarce can take it in. He looks so gentle, meek and mild, fragile, vulnerable. He left all the splendors of Heaven to take on all the weakness, sickness, and the trappings of mere humanity to fulfill redemption’s plan. He became man so that mankind could be redeemed. He became the ultimate extension and expression of God’s love. He came to earth as an ordinary baby so that we would not be afraid to come to Him.
     Jesus is the reason for the season. Christmas is the season of giving. God loves, therefore He gives His very best, His only begotten Son. Jesus loved mankind so much that He gave His all. We must live the same lifestyle. Our giving must become a 24/7 (twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week) experience. As we give we release the Father to bless our gifts and then those gifts return back to us, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
      My personal goal is to give so much that people will ask why. Why? Because He loved me so much that He gave, I must give also. We are a chosen and blessed people and because of our willingness to give we are being blessed in return. The gift therefore goes on in a never ending circle. We don’t give to receive but to bless. The blessings we receive in return are the dividends that God gives back to us.
     Once again my heart is stirred and my soul rejoices with the words and music of my favorite Christmas hymn, “Joy To The World!” as it plays through the speakers. The lyrics proclaim, “Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing.” Will you prepare your heart to receive the King, not only at this Christmas season but for the whole year? Once we receive the King we must share Him with others.
      This is the mission, the gift of giving His love to others.