Something caught my eye as I walking along the Cornhill Arts Festival, our annual summer outdoor vendor frenzy in Rochester. The usual hundreds of unique arts and crafts sparkling in the sun like the “shiny water wheel shaped into a twiggy nymph splashing water in the air.” Little kids would love running through the water splashing in their faces on a hot summer day.I was pushing a wheelchair from one booth to another with my Sonshine Friend who had not attended a summer festival in ten years. She was thrilled just to get out of her house and see all the sights. Then it grabbed me. You know that feeling when your brain is swimming from hundreds of different choices and one trinket just pops out and says “Take ME home cutie!” There were these shelves of poplar wood birdhouses. Each house was simply designed and shaped to look like county churches or lighthouses. A woodcutter had crafted garden trellis and even a bike made from poplar wood with boxes to hang your plants.
This wood carver came from Mountain City, Tennessee and he looked like a mountain man. We complemented his work and shared that his prices were “down to earth.” He said that when he goes to bed at night he likes to sleep with a good conscience which is why his birdie homes were so reasonable. Then he simply took one of the birdhouses off its shelf and handed it to my homebound friend and whispered “it’s on the house!” Her eyes light up and her face had an expression of shock and delight. Thank you, she replied, overwhelmed by his gentle and kind generosity.
The disciples were given the power of Christ to go and make a difference in the lives of others. However, many prophets and apostles often felt intimidated by the invitation to serve. We see ourselves only in the light of our job or career. Our birdhouse wood carver gave more than a mere piece of wood to my friend. At his moment of generosity he cast out the devil of despair and hopelessness.
In the same way, we are called to help cast out the devils which may be possessing the lives of those around us, devils like ignorance, poverty, abuse or grief. In our various roles as teachers, farmers, parents and mentors, we are called to make a difference in the lives of others and reflect the love of God for them through our acts of charity. The question is: are you willing to use that power that Christ has given you to make a difference in the lives of others?
Pray and reflect: “Here I am Lord, send me.”
Lord I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who need a surprise gift today from our heavenly vendor. We travel different roads and come upon many harsh times. When something catches our eye, may we see your goodness and desire to always be close to us. Enjoy the free gift of God’s love and pass it on freely to all you meet.
