Walk-ins

I knew this would be a part of my job, but I did not know how much of a part it would be. On an average I would say FBC Norman gets visited by 10-20 "walk-ins" a week. These can range anywhere from people who need money for utilities, actual clothes and food, or just a calm presence of someone to speak with. The following is the first of many stories of people that have already come by.

My first week here I received a call from one of the church members who works at a local middle school. She informed me that a member of their custodial staff's house burnt to the ground the day before. This lady, her two children, and her mom, all were left with nothing. No clothes, no food, no _______(fill in the blank with whatever you keep in your house).

Luckily, she had homeowner's insurance. And even still, with that insurance, I am reminded that the system is not perfect. Her family was provided a hotel room to stay in the first night from the fire department, however, the insurance company said they needed a week to process her claim. A week?! Surely (don't call me shirley; Airplane), not every insurance company says "ok, can you be homeless for a week while we process your request?"

Anyway, the school let her off of work early that day so she could come by FBC. We were able to give her food and clothes to get through the immediate emergency situation. What a spiritual experience it was to welcome and hug someone who had just been through one of the many unthinkable situations to which we are all vulnerable. What a joy it was to take her into our clothes closet and food pantry and say "take whatever you need."

One of the dilemmas that providing this service from within a church inevitably raises is the issue of helping those who are not within our congregation. How far should resources be used to aid those of the community who are not a member of the church, or even a Christian?

If this tragedy had happened to a church member, of course we would have helped. But I think I've heard someone say something about how easy it is to love people who love you back, or who are on the "inside", or "saved", or...etc. Why would we ever want to take the easy way out!?

Stay tuned for more.