Special Graces

Special Graces

“Each one of you has received a special grace, so, like good stewards responsible for all these different graces of God, put yourselves at the service of others” (1 Peter 4:10).
I went looking for grace in the service of others today while at Manna House.  I didn’t have to look very hard.
Mr. Cash offered this advice while waiting in the living room for his “socks and hygiene.” “For the first fifty years of our lives we focus on living; for the next fifty years we need to focus on dying.”
Otis came in hoping to get on the list for “socks and hygiene.”  Unfortunately it was already full.  “But it’s my birthday” he said, and reached to pull out his wallet to show ID to prove it.
“Otis, you don’t have to prove it” I said, “Here’s a pair of socks, and now let us sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to you.”  His gift was to smile and graciously receive our song (and the socks).
It was a day of birthdays.  Antonio beautifully sang “Happy Birthday” to Delle, who turned one today.  Her mother, Jessica, a Memphis Theological Seminary student, was thankful for Antonio’s powerful and melodious voice.
Jessica and Delle offered the gift of hanging out in the backyard and talking with guests (well, Delle mostly gurgled, snorted, and cooed).
Russell and Ralph and Willie and James patiently waited while 22 people showered before them.  Not once did any one of them ask, “Where am I on the list?”
(As the guy “working the list” I can say this patience was greatly appreciated).
Bennie showed off some more of his clothing creations.  The man can flat out make decorative clothing out of scraps of colorful clothe carefully cut and glued to shirts, pants, and even his hat.
Ashley sorted through coats and got them organized for distribution when the cold weather arrives.  Ashley also sorted through donations, carefully keeping what we can use and bagging up the rest to be shared with other organizations.
Noah and Annie graciously served 51 guests (plus a few extra) for “socks and hygiene” and also set up 26 men for showers, helping them select clothing and shoes.
Ben got shoes from the back room and also helped guide guests into the clothing room in an orderly way for showers or socks and hygiene.
Kyra and Emily did laundry (which included quite a pile of clothing from Tuesday to be folded), and Kyra also headed up the cleaning of the shower room and the small bathroom.
Paul served 340 cups of coffee.  He gifted each guest with a greeting and a smile.
Michelle talked with guests, helped with the creamer and sugar, and also helped in the kitchen.
Clyde and Jonas kept the creamer and sugar tables stocked so guests could help themselves to just the right amount of both in their coffee.  John helped as well until he had to leave.
Dave started in the kitchen then handed off to Clyde to wash coffee pots, sugar containers, and whatever other kitchen items needed a good cleaning.
  One of the great things about offering hospitality is that the lines between hosts and guests get graciously blurred.  It was that kind of day, filled with special graces.