– James 1:17
Recently, I read an article about a group of young people who are part of a “Rake and Run” project. Each fall, young people are encouraged to join this group and for the next few weekends participate. No one is denied. They just bring their rakes and for the next two or three hours clear random yards of the dreaded leaves. The young people make the decision of which yard(s) to rake, how much effort to put into it and how long to stay at each home. They will not accept any money but do go to someone’s home or a local church after finishing and have some fellowship as they “rest up”. These young people have grown closer and their numbers are growing.
This is a “feel good” story, but it also demonstrates how we can serve ourselves as we serve others. No wing of a hospital or building on a college campus will ever be named after these young people because of the gift of their time and talents to their community, but their gifts are as special as those who donate large monetary gifts. Those receiving the gift of a cleared yard may never think of it as a gift from God, but as the Bible verse above says, this good thing given and the joy these same young people derive from their project, is made possible by the love of the Lord.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Roberta Hamdorf