Andy Olson
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04:45:05 pm on November 2, 2011 |
When I was a child growing up in the frozen tundra of Minnesota I used to love the feel of a cold north wind blowing on my face. The skin on my face drawing tight and my eyes squinting against an onslaught of swirling icy air I would walk across open fields pretending to be some great explorer braving the elements…searching for a place to bed down and find warmth for the night. I could stay outside for hours. Of course, after my toes had finally gone numb I had a home to return to. A home with a warm bed and I could probably get a cup of hot cocoa if I asked my mom to make it.
To this day, I still love the feel of an ice cold wind blowing across my face. And when given the chance here in Tennessee I always take the opportunity to go out for a walk on those cold blustery days. I don’t perhaps use my childhood imagination on these occasions but I do take a moment to remember them. I also take a moment to thank the Lord that He has always kept me warm. He has always kept me fed. He has always given me a home.
Nowadays on my wintery walks I take my young sons with me. I watch with a certain joy as their little cheeks turn red and their eyes squint against the frigid winds. I wonder to myself what they might be thinking or imagining as their old man marches them through the wintery sleet.
Now, all three of my sons were born here in the South. My wife is proud that they are like their Mama, Southern born and bred, and the truth be told, they don’t hold the same natural affinity for those wintery days as I do. Sure, they like being out with Dad, but not for too long mind you. They can take an hour of cold but that’s about it. So when we return from our wintery walks and we can see the warmth of our front porch light I take the time to remind them; isn’t it good to have a home? Isn’t it good to be warm? Isn’t it good to have some marshmallows in our cocoa…
For the most part, I love being a dad. If you’re a parent, you understand that statement. My boys are old enough now that I can begin to share with them and explain Kingdom principles that are integral to how we choose to live as a family. Being that they are still ‘youngish’, my wife and I have ample opportunity to review and demonstrate the concept of sharing and giving quite often. When a baby learns the word ‘mine’ it’s a word that isn’t easily let go of.
My family is like most I know, we have to stretch a dollar, we don’t live beyond our means, we honestly don’t have excess, but still…we don’t go without the necessities, so it’s safe to say that we have plenty.
What I hope my boys walk away with is that you don’t have to be secured in a place of abundance in order to be secure out of giving from what you have.
In my travels the most hospitable and giving people I’ve ever encountered have been people with the least…who gave from what they had…and mind you, they gave joyfully. Whether it was a meal, a bed or time…it was the attitude of giving that was and continues to be so humbling to me.
Jesus keeps these thoughts pretty plain and simple for us doesn’t He? “If you have two coats and your neighbor has none…” Well hopefully you can figure out the rest.
So, where does all this lead and why is this blog titled, “What’s Hiding in Your Closet?”
Today I was the Belmont POC. (Pastor on Call) At 9am I had my first call. He was a gentleman from the street. Very friendly, polite, he was my age. His need was simple. It’s turning cold outside. He isn’t always guaranteed a spot with Room in the Inn and he needed a coat. A winter coat. Something to keep him warm. There is no warmth of a front porch light currently waiting for him as he turns the corner.
I hadn’t been in the pantry for a few weeks so I didn’t really know what was available.
What wasn’t available was a winter coat of any kind regardless of size. I was able to find a large windbreaker and some sweaters, but a winter coat would have been nice.
It’s that time of year. Folks will be coming in now most every day looking for simple needs: warm coats and blankets.
So tonight I’m going to go home, and I will use the opportunity to tell my boys who I met today. I’ll tell them this story and we’re going to talk a little bit more about giving and sharing around the dinner table tonight. However, Kingdom stories are intended to be followed with action, so we’re going to apply it.
Now, I don’t put a whole lot of hangars to use in my closet…but maybe I’ve got an extra coat hiding in there somewhere that I can bring to the Isaiah 58 pantry… maybe you do too…
What’s hiding in your closet?
~peace.
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