God's Helping Hands

I write two of my own blogs, but I also contribute to our churches Advent blog site called Prepare the Way.
Each day I post the daily Scripture reading and a few times a week I comment.

As I read today's passage with the blog title in mind, I was struck by the fact that we are God's hands in this world.

At St. John's we have so many opportunities to help God prepare the way for others, We have a mitten tree for mittens, hats and scarves, a cookie drive for kids in a local residential facility who do not go home for Christmas, a used toy sale where people can come and pick up good, clean very usable toys at very affordable prices. We have cards for adopted families who want and need the same kinds of things we all want and need and we have a Deacon's fund that supports our food pantry in the hopes that those who will not feast, surely, will at least, not go hungry on the Birthday of the King.

A friend of mine contributes to the food pantry and she has started bringing in cake mixes and frosting. She commented that everyone likes a cake now and then. What a selfless, non-judgemental thing to do to help someone celebrate.

Many hands make light work is a saying we all grew up with and it seems that at Christmastime we really put that into action as we all open our hearts to the less fortunate.

The scripture says God
upholds the cause of the oppressed
gives food to the hungry.
sets prisoners free,
gives sight to the blind,
lifts up those who are bowed down,
loves the righteous.
watches over the foreigner
sustains the fatherless and the widow,
frustrates the ways of the wicked,
and that he reigns forever,

So many ways to help others at St. John's.
So many ways to be God's helping hands in the world,

Praise the Lord !