As we gather (September)

" I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building." -1 Corinthians 3:6-9

Dark clouds above, gentle sprinkling of rain as we meet at the church to fill two wheel barrows with gardening gloves, water bottles, shovels, spades, and rakes, we anticipate a lot of work for the next couple of hours. Unsure of how many would show up to help spread natural fertilizer (3-yr old animal poop from the Jacksonville Zoo) on a bleak looking morning, we pushed on and we walked a couple of blocks from the church to our Nutritional Garden. The rain got heavier, the sky got darker, and I know everyone in their minds is going, "Are we really gonna do this right now?" Mr. Ron Pauline pulled up in his old squeaky one-mirrored pickup truck brimming with what was once animal feces and backed into the garden lot where about fifteen of us waited ready with shovels and dripping with rain. We had helpers anywhere from the age of 5 to 60. We took all that fertilizer and transferred it into all the garden beds which were previously weeded the week before in preparation for this day. A couple people shoveled the fertilizer into wheel barrows, another couple would walk the wheel barrows to the garden beds, and others would spread out the fertilizer with shovels and rakes. We were like a well-oiled, and might I say soaking, machine. After about a half hour, there wasn't a dry part of your clothing with which to dry your face. We had children, high school students, 2nd Mile staff, and other adult volunteers all serving together in battle.

Up until this day, a lot of the work in the garden has consisted of weeding, watering, and more weeding. The work we did at this action day has allowed us to start the planting process. It was like a clean reset button, a restart to what the garden is all about, growth. I've learned that even though I have nothing to do with the seeds sprouting, I can plant the seed, I can provide the water. With so much in life being out of my own control, I can still be faithful, I can still show up, not knowing what growth will be supplied by God.

After action day, I was amazed at just how good it was to see people in person, to work alongside people to achieve a common goal. It would've taken one person probably an entire day to accomplish what we did in an hour and a half. I agree with Paul in the Bible when he repeatedly talks about being encouraged to see believers in person or how he would walk miles out of the way in order to encourage another.

As We Gather - Currently, 2nd Mile has been developing a program for the older folks in our community. This will include some technological training as well as other activities. As the program develops, say a prayer for those it would help. We've gotten over a dozen computers and a connection with the Faith Building (a building close to my house for the elderly) in hopes that beginning this program will go smoothly, as smoothly as something can in this day in age.

I sincerely feel for those of you who are struggling, who feel alone, who don't know where to go with your stress. With each passing month I feel more and more the irony of our country's name, the United States of America. So much arguing, so much disagreeing, so much hatred, so little listening, so little compassion, so little humility. Covid, racial injustice, whatever that presidential debate was. I will pray that you trust in the Lord. "But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." - Jeremiah 17:7-8