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"Give and it will be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."   Luke 6:38

"Count Your Blessings"

 

As he sat down to have lunch with us, these were the first words he spoke. The lunch was provided by the food pantry for us, its volunteers. And we were high school students and chaperones-a group of work camp volunteers- that had traveled to New York City to work with and learn about homeless people. (This is the same trip our youth are going on in June.)

 

"Count your Blessings", he said again. I could see that some of the youth were squirming ever so slightly at the food choices put before us. Someone had cooked a home made lunch for us and it was 50s style covered dishes like tuna noodle casserole, American chopsuey and a Jell-O salad.

 

His name was Jake. A big burly life-long New Yorker, Jake was the shift supervisor. He also was formerly homeless. He shared his story with us, how he had turned his life around by climbing out of the bottle and drugs that claimed him. It was more than that though, he learned each day to count his blessings, to give thanks for the good and learn from the hard parts.  He lived now from a deep well of gratitude.

 

By the end of lunch, he had the youth mesmerized. He lived in a single room in a tenement on not much more than minimum wage. Yet, he radiated joy. The room was warmed by his presence. His turn around he told them came when he realized all life, even his own was pure gift, and he got to choose how he lived each day.

 

"What goes around comes around."

"You reap what you sow."

"Wherever you go there you are."

"You get what you give."

 

However you say it, it all comes back to counting your blessings. Living as if, trusting that all life is a gift from the Universe and in response living your life in an intentional way by continuously giving thanks.

 

Here at MHCC, we begin our pledge drive this month. You all will be receiving a letter from the giving team which asks you to pledge an amount in support of the church. Over the next few weeks, we hope that you will ponder and consider how MHCC has blessed your life.  MHCC is solely supported by its members and friends. Our building, staff, Church School, adult and youth programs and outreach are all funded through your generosity. It's because of your commitment that we are such a presence in the community sharing God's love. We have wonderful new ideas for expanding our outreach to those in need of a church and those struggling in these difficult times. We hope that as you consider the ways your life is a gift and MHCC is a blessing to you that you will be inspired in your pledge.

 

Jeff Winey is our Steward of Giving. Jeff, the Giving Team and I are available to answer any questions about pledging and how the church is funded. We especially want to hear how the church is a blessing to you.

 

Peace, Rev. Beth