“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God.’” – Leviticus 23:22

Question for the day:  “Does this verse sound familiar?”

Maybe so.  It is the verse I used a few days ago.  It’s not that I have run out of material.  I just have an amazing story to tell if you will indulge me.

A couple of years ago, I attended a seminar in North Carolina.  I don’t remember alot about the program, but I did have an amazing experience of God on that trip, and it has taken 2 years to come to completion.

Three times in one day (on the way there: radio, during a session, and later on the tv)  the same verse was quoted to me:  “If you know the right thing to do, and choose not to do it, then that is a sin.” – James 4:17.

Now, I don’t mind telling you, hearing that 3 times in one day put the fear of God into my heart.  So I began praying, all day, every day, ” Lord, what is it that I need to do?”  I mean, He had to have a reason for saying that to me didn’t He?

Over the course of that week, His message to me became very clear in some ways and very blurry in others.  I definitely heard, through Bible study and prayer, “Feed the hungry.”  That much I was positive about.  But “who?” “where?” and “when?”  Feeding the hungry is a pretty big order and I did not know where to begin.  But my prayer has stayed with me these past two years, that if He would show me where, I would gladly go.

Last week, the day after my original posting of this scripture, God said “Go.”  I received an email from the Society of St. Andrew, needing help to feed hungry people.  And guess what?  This is their mission scripture.  I saw it and knew that this was a message for me, from God – a sacred echo, if you will.

The Society of St. Andrew is a non-profit organization (starting as an off-shoot of the Methodist Church) that has a national footprint with one agenda, feeding America’s hungry.

Where they needed help, (and still do) is in the local farmer’s markets.  They invited me to come to Pepper Place last Saturday morning to help “glean” the leftover produce.  See, the good farmers are willing to donate what they don’t sell to the Society.  Then it is transported to the local food banks and homeless shelters.  Listen to this, ALL THEY NEEDED ME TO DO:  is to help with weighing and recording the donations.  That is it.  Even the heavy lifting and collecting of the vegetables are done by volunteers from the local homeless shelters themselves.  All that is needed are people who are dependable, just a little organized, can read a scale, and write it down. – SIMPLE.

So I went, and had a wonderful time.  I met some new friends, helped with the process, and was part of sending over 580 pounds of fresh vegetables to folks who needed them.  The best part, that is food that would have otherwise been thrown away.  And it only took 1 1/2 hours of my time.  Does it get any better?

I knew immediately that this was the feeding mission that God was calling me to.  It is just one of those things you know.  I am looking forward to going back on June 29th.  I plan to take my daughter Hope with me.  She is 6 and can definitely read a scale.  So this will be a good activity to involve her in.

I would love to have some friends to go with me.  Because, this isn’t the only market in town.  And the society would love to be able to glean at others, they just don’t have enough people willing to help out.  Isn’t that sad?  If you would like to help, get in touch with me.  You will be glad you did.

I am attaching two links, 1 for the Society and 1 is a training video that was shot on location at Pepper Place, if you are curious to see what they actually do.

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Heavenly Father,

I thank You that You have always faithfully provided me with enough to eat.  Sometimes through my own efforts, and sometimes through the generosity of others.  Lord, I thank You for the opportunity to serve You in this wonderful way.  You are helping me to become more like Christ in looking after the needs of others.  Lord, I pray that, as your people receive this gift of food, that they also receive the gift of Your blessings and salvation as well.  

Show me best how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this needful world.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen