JanBeek

The young man who introduced the “PresbyCats” to us today was wearing a t-shirt that had “Presbyterian Church Disaster Assistance” written on it. He and two of his colleagues presented a three part sermon about their experiences recently in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Here are my sermon notes – my “take away” of the messages they shared:

“We went to Baton Rouge
To help the people there.
They had experienced a flood
With little help anywhere.

We repaired some of the damage,
And we did it in Jesus’ name.
Jesus demonstrated love with action
And asked us to do the same.

Preparing for natural disasters
Is a job that needs our love.
Rebuilding the damaged houses
Requires love from God above.

Looking out at this world
It’s often disheartening to see
The lack of true compassion
(I don’t want that to be true of me).

Sometimes I cringe at fluff,
The touchy-feely kind of stuff,
But I know it’s not enough
To just DO – with a heart that’s tough.

Doing for others in God’s name
Requires a softened heart of caring.
Action mixed with love requires
A spirit of love and true sharing.”

My granddaughter, Faith, works for the state of Nevada. Her job involves the assessment of disaster preparedness in various places around Nevada. She would have enjoyed meeting these “PresbyCats” who are students at Montana State University in Bozeman. They would have had lots in common. Here’s a picture of Faith as a baby, just a month or so after she was adopted into our Beekman family. What a gift from Heaven she is!!

Faith worked for the American Red Cross, among other organizations, in apprenticeships before getting her diploma and a full-time job. There is a great need for people like her and these students I met today… young people with a heart for others – ready and willing to reach out and help in time of need.

Do you have such experience? Or do you know someone who also serves in this way? If so, reach out to thank them today. The world is a better place because young people like this are in it. God bless them!