Rev. Melinda McDonald
If we humans will look around in our everyday lives, we can see incarnation - the presence of God through people's caring actions and/or presence. Hurricane Helene brought record-setting water and wind damage into the Appalachian Mountains that caused rivers to rampage through the valleys there, and caused landslides and mudslides that have broken roads and destroyed lives, homes, and businesses nestled in the nooks of Western North Carolina. Serious destruction also occurred in Southwest Virginia, East Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. It is in these hard hit areas that incarnation has been happening!
The lesson of sharing is one we teach our children at home. James' teaching, "be doers of the word," intersects with the essence of following The Way of Jesus. The biscuits story is a striking fit for the message of good news! I simply had to share with you the powerful first-hand account of an anonymous father in the Burnsville, NC, area who is experiencing what it means to be on the receiving end of others' compassionate actions. God's presence has been showing itself in bountiful ways. Here is the original version, slightly longer than what was given in my sermon, Share Your Biscuits.
From Burnsville, NC’s Mountain Time on Main Street… 10/21/24
When I woke my boys this morning, I pulled this can of biscuits out of the bed. That was weird.
We have a lot of kids. I've pulled puppies, computers, random friends I've never met, homework, food of all kinds over the years.... but this was a first, the biscuits. I asked what the deal was with the biscuits, and they told me they wanted them for breakfast. They had hidden them so Kaj wouldn't eat them.
We had the lesson on that, being that we don't sleep with a can of biscuits because now no one can eat them because they were ruined ..... and....that we share our food. Period. We don't hide it.
It brought to my mind quickly what we've seen over and over and over again during this event.
People have shared what they have. They've not hidden anything for themselves. They give, rather than receive. They take care of others’ needs before their own.
We see it every day, all day.
I've seen folks with four bottles of water give three away. Folks opened their homes to complete strangers. Front porches became community gathering spots for food and conversation. Places that used to be public businesses are now flattened and serve as a meeting spot to plan for the next day. Strangers have done our laundry.
Church sanctuaries have become major distribution hubs. The churches that aren't able to meet are meeting in the yard. Our school classrooms have had the mud cleaned out of them and are now housing teams of volunteers to work in our homes. Hotels serve as soup kitchens. The Square has become a place for friends and neighbors to meet up and share a meal and a hug. Retail shops have become therapy centers. Sidewalks have filled up with strangers offering hot meals, supplies, and music. Dog walking has become a huge thing.
Fire departments are doing SO much more than putting out fires. The Sheriff's Department is doing SO much more than fighting the bad guys. The Police Department is doing SO much more than writing traffic tickets and protecting the community from trouble. EMT's are literally going door to door providing much needed services.
People are SERVING people. People are LOVING people. People are GIVING to people. People are CARRYING the load. They are SHOVELING the mud. They are BUILDING the bridges. They are COVERING the roof tops.
There is a lot that could be said right here. Read between the lines and know we are talking about people taking care of one another. Both physically and mentally. Spiritually and financially.
Most of us have mush for brains right now.
But, we are thankful for the new faces that show up every day.
And.... Don't sleep with your biscuits. Keep them cool and ready to share with whomever needs them. Keep the ice box filled or the fridge plugged in the generator. Keep them ready to be served. Keep them ready to share with whomever needs them.
Someone will need them. I promise.
