Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Witness: Kathleen Caron
Scripture: Luke 13:18-20 NIV
Weekly Theme: Announce
“What is the Kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
In 1985 I was a volunteer co-director of a church youth group. My friend Janet and I thought it might be a safe gathering place for teenagers. Our focus was on the Spiritual, Social, and Service needs. We met as a group every Sunday night in the Church basement. The young members decided that all young people of our town would be welcomed, whether or not they “belonged “ to the church.
There was always a table of food. Always a group project to work on, collecting food and clothing, inviting speakers to address topics important to them, ski trips, and all-night game nights to raise money for service work. And prayer for one another.
One Sunday night, a few members approached us with concern over “John,” a member recently hospitalized with depression. John was a quiet young man, always seeming to be outside looking in but happy to be included with the others. His family circumstances did not allow him as much free time as the other kids had. What to do?
A few days later, I received a call from John. He said,” Mrs. Caron, I just came home from the hospital. My youth group friends came to see me in the hospital. They brought me all colors of balloons and candy. I never knew I had so many friends.
I’ll see you on Sunday night.”
I do not know how life turned out for John, but I know the impact of the kindness and acceptance given to John when he was most in need.
Daily Prayer: Dear God, We have You and each other. “Great is Thy Faithfulness” is what you want from us as we travel through life together, on our way to You.”
Discussion/Reflection Questions:
- Who has reached out to you in your time of need?
- Who may need your outreach today?
- What is God asking of us as a faith community?
Lake Deaton at Home 
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