Standing in the mini grocery store, owned by my ‘Tocayo’ (namesake), here in Puerto Vallarta, she was purchasing some simple items ~~ diapers and tortillas. She was ‘perhaps’ a twenty year old, together with her three year old and six month baby girl. There was no, “Oh, I feel sorry for you”. Rather, I asked, “Me puedo comprar estos, un regalo?”. That is, “Can I buy these ... as a gift?”. She graciously received this gift as it was intended.
Those who know me, know that this is said by no means to lift myself up. Rather, it is the heart … the ‘Jar – of - Clay’, which our Father, our Creator, continues to shape within this life. A ‘heart’ which hopefully resembles that of our Savior. A heart always being aware of the person, the need directly in front, or sometimes to the side, in that very moment of time.
I’ve heard it called ‘sprinkling the living water’. I’m calling it ‘unintended ministry’. Though perhaps it would be better called, “Intended Ministry”. Because in a world which demands so much of our time, where most are consumed by a daily life of “busyness”. Where our focus often excludes awareness of the other, of the circumstances directly in plain sight.
She surely had the money for this simple purchase. And perhaps … I did her no favor in buying this for her. Will she expect the same next time? Or perhaps, as it was ‘intended’ ~~ it was received as the grace and the smile from someone who has been blessed, and in turn would like to extend a blessing.
Is that not what these ‘Jars of Clay’ become? Those shaped into those who view the world as through the eyes of our Savior. Who when walking with His disciples so often surprised them ~ talking to children, touching the leper, healing a blind man, weeping over the death of a friend ~~ even conversing with the rich … and with the poor.
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| Nothing more to say ... but Beautiful! |
I hope for a tomorrow, or the day after, or the one after that to continue to be that ‘jar of clay’. One whom is ready for the next ‘unintended ministry’.
Today ~ April Fool's Day 2022 ~ would have been my mother's 80th birthday. It was through her life that I first discovered what 'Unintended Ministry' looks like. It's in her honor that I post this blog. I ~~ We love you Elizabeth Ann ~~
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