and the next word is “helps.” I believe because I am of the generation who carefully peeled aluminum foil from gum wrappers, rolled into balls, and turned in for the “war effort.” In 1948, thousands of Texas school children donated nickels and dimes to moor the Battleship Texas near San Jacinto Park. Granted it recently was moved on for one more reconstruction, but it wouldn’t have reached this point without help half a century ago. So, in the backwaters of this virus, volunteers are doing their part to help, unbeknownst to most and only a sentence in a paragraph as recognition.
Let’s start with me. Like most of us, I am very aware of food and financial crisis, more than any one person can solve. Our church, though, offered to take part in a larger effort to make masks to hand out to whoever needed one. Sure, I can do that. I have a sewing machine, years of experience, and another group was doing the little bit of cutting and delivering. Well, it turned out to be a nine step process that took longer than I planned. I finished my thirty-five yesterday. The grand total, though, was 10,000 from me and a few others.
In various places, volunteers have put on their masks, gone out in public, and contributed their efforts. Some have sorted cans for a food panty while others have stood behind card tables at a drive through delivery of that food. Being paid does not make any easier the task of teachers moving into a new mode of educating children who have been thrown into a new way of learning. As her gift, my cross the street 6th grade neighbor spent all afternoon drawing pictures and writing encouraging words in the street for passing cars to read. Blessings on the meme creators who in the midst of a stressful day cause me to laugh.
In the mix are those who write notes, send e-mails, and encourage those who can’t be with quarantined loved ones. This doesn’t even touch those who by their professions have given more than a little bit. Their dedication and efforts have saved lives and, hopefully, bought containment time while other search for a vaccine. If we all served alike, many tasks, large and small, would be left undone. And thirty five people would be maskless without me. Find your bit!
” But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. ” Ephesians 4:11 The Message
Let Me Tell Ya 