The week of February 8-14th was dedicated as a CrossWay Service Week – a week designed for the people of CrossWay to set aside 2-3 hours to get out and serve others in our community in practical and meaningful ways. We wanted to report back to you some of the ways God used the people of CrossWay. You will find below one full story of how God used a woman from CrossWay and then several briefer accounts. One Fuller Story of God’s Grace
When the announcement was made in church about the CrossWay Service Week I immediately thought about the homeless man who is always at the Fullerton exit in Chicago. Every time I go to see my headache doctor he is usually there at the bottom of the ramp with a sign asking for help. There is a light at the bottom of the ramp, which is usually red and there are 2 lanes of cars that have to stop. To my shame, I must admit that I lock my doors and stare straight ahead. So, I have an appointment tomorrow, and I plan to pack a lunch for the “Fullerton Exit Man,” to give him. That’s all well and good, but God had another plan as well.
Yesterday I was on my way home from an appointment and I drove straight to Wal-mart. Usually I am very organized and have my list and coupons all ready, I park and head into the store. For some reason I was not ready yesterday, so I just grabbed my coupon book as I headed out the door. So, when I parked at the store, I had to sit in my car and go through my coupon book. As I did this, I could hear the car next to me cranking its engine, and not starting. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man lift up the hood, and then keep trying. Even with my limited auto knowledge, I knew his battery was dead. I got out and there was a whole family in the car.
I asked him if he needed a jump and he said, “Yes! But I don’t have cables.” And I said, “Well, I do.” They were brand new and still in the packaging. Of course, the parking space in front of their car was (divinely) empty, so I pulled around to it. As he hooked everything up, his sister (I learned) told me she was so upset because she needed to pick up her child from school in half an hour and she didn’t know what she was going to do. I told her, “Now you have plenty of time” and she looked up at the sky and said, “Thank you Jesus!” To which I said, “See? The Lord knew that you needed me to be here and He knew I would be sitting here looking through my coupons ! He always puts us in just the right place at just the right time!”
As they left they just kept thanking me and I told them I was so happy to be able to help, and God bless them. I just smiled all the way into the store, thinking of how the God of the universe just used me in His perfect timing. It was the BEST part of my day. I think I was much more blessed than that family. So, I will pack that lunch for the “Fullerton Exit Man” tomorrow. But all the while I will smile at how God’s plans sometimes are so much more fun and I will continue to keep my eyes open to see how He wants to use me. Who knows who He may place in my path TODAY?
The Good Samaritan
Does this not remind you of the parable of the good Samaritan? In Luke 10 a lawyer tried to trap Jesus by asking him what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus responded with the two great commandments. “But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’”
Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I comeSeveral Briefer Accounts
back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise." -Luke 10:30-37
- One woman and her 3 children made Valentine’s cards, bought sugar-free candy, and went to a local assisted living place on Sheridan Road in Kenosha to care for the residents.
- Another family had an opportunity to serve a dear friend while her daughter was suddenly hospitalized. They took in the younger sister overnight while allowing their friend to attend to her older daughter.
- Two families brought meals to the Great Lakes Naval Base to serve those attending a gospel outreach ministry led by a man from CrossWay.
- A father and his two sons helped a neighbor dispose of a large heap of trash that had been left on the curb.
- One person visited an older lady who is no longer able to leave her home; they talked, read Scripture, and prayed.
- One woman volunteered her time to prepare and paint some offices at the Bong Recreation Area.
I trust this is the very beginnings of God directing CrossWay to be salt and light in the world and I thank God for it.
