Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Cure for the Common Life



I was privileged to attend an unusual birthday celebration last week. The birthday girl is a single mom, and her life was hard even before she became a paraplegic about eighteen months ago. She is on our church's outreach list, but only a few people in our group knew her. We discussed what we might do to get better acquainted, and hit on a plan to visit her for a cook-out. Christy gave us her enthusiastic permission, and last Friday evening we loaded up a grill, ice chest, tables, chairs, food, and birthday gifts and carpooled to her home.

It wasn't a typical way for the young adults in our class to spend a Friday evening, but they participated whole-heartedly. Maybe it's because we've been working our way through Max Lucado's book Cure for the Common Life, but what I took away from that evening was how beautifully each individual's gifts and talents sparkled in their ministry to Christy. Each person made a unique and indispensable contribution to the evening. Christy said it was the best birthday she'd ever had.

That is how the body of Christ is supposed to work. It was a moving thing to witness.

3 comments:

Rae Ryan said...

sounds like a great way to forget about oneself, the fastest, truest way to happinness.

jenny said...

Aunt Jackie! I am so excited you are blogging. I hope teaching 4th continues to go great for you this year. All your posts are very moving and enlightening...what a great way to connect when we rarely get to see each other.

Brent and Chris said...

I enjoy reading your blog. Everything is so well written it's a pleasure to read.