Hope for Valentine's Day

When I just don't feel like making any more phone calls I like to sit and watch the cars go down Halsted street. That would be how my whole weekend felt. I forced myself at first to ignore the traffic and write my emails and make my phone calls. But in the low point (Valentine's Day) a friend of mine called and asked if I wanted to take a few hours and go to a food pantry that my small group has served at. From noon to 2:00 every Saturday, a wonderful 75 year-old Cuban man named "Rev" serves the community of Little Village from the back room of a run down store front. Families who live in the community can come once a month and get a large box filled with food for their families. Rev's motto is "No one leaves empty handed."

This Saturday, when we arrived at Liberty (the name of the pantry), we found Rev on his own trying to climb the foot stool and fill the box for his first family. Now, Rev has a lot of energy, but this is a task that even hurts my back after a while. The look of gratitude on his face was enough for my Valentine's Day. We were able to serve at least eight families that afternoon. One woman had never been there before and she couldn't believe how much food we were able to bless her with. I left that afternoon with my heart full of love. I don't enjoy Valentine's day much since living in the US. It seems so forced and exclusive.

My day at Liberty reminded me why we serve. Why I serve. I may feel inadequate and tired. But I have been given hope. I have hope that most people only dream of. It is not job security or a loving spouse. It is more than food and a warm bed. I know who I am because of God. I know that I am watched after. There may not have been any time to share the gospel on Saturday, but just speaking kindly and looking those mothers in the eye was enough. It was the remedy I needed to be able to return to calling and emailing, and it was enough for them to be able to return home with dignity.

This is what we are being called to; to serve with what we have. I had two hours, but I was blessed more than I can tell you.