Last night was the third evening we (CompassionSC) went down to the Rebele Family Shelter here in SC to facilitate a non-denominational service for the families. We call it a service. It is really a small group of sorts. All of us in need of grace. All of us with some type of brokenness. It's the sixth week we've been privileged to participate with the families in this way. It's been amazing seeing how God has been at work in the lives of those who have attended, both in our lives and in the lives of the families who come down stairs.
Two Sundays ago no one showed up. Previously each week we had one or two families come as we've shared our lives together, prayed for one another, sang some songs, and read through passages from the Sermon on the Mount. Two Sundays ago was the first night no one joined us. It got me thinking about whether our time is well spent. What if no one comes? What if only one or two people keep coming? Is that enough to make it "worth" our time? Are only one or two people worth it even for the financial support we are receiving to "do" the work of CompassionSC? Or would our time be better spent somewhere else, doing something else?
At the beginning of last year when we started up the tutoring program the director of the shelter wanted to confirm our desire to keep coming even if the attendance wasn't consistent. I stated, "Of course, whether one kid shows up or twenty, we feel called to serve the kids and their families." She was struck by our faithfulness. It seems there are others from the community who come in at times to serve the kids in some way. The first few times a number of kids show up. As time goes by the numbers dwindle until those serving the kids in some way are forced to ask the same question. Is it worth my time? Is one or two kids showing up for my class and what I'm offering worth it for me to come down? Unfortunately some stop coming to serve the smaller number of kids. What does this communicate to them? As the class is cancelled what are they thinking? "Am I not worth their effort? Am I not as important just because no one else is coming?"
I know our faithfulness to the kids and to the shelter is worth it. Whether one child shows up for tutoring or whether only one family attends the service. It communicates to the one person who comes they are just as significant as the other twenty. It shows them that they are special enough in our eyes and God's for us to make the time to spend with them. It shows them we care and doing so I hope they come to know God cares and loves them as well.
It doesn't bother me a bit none of the families showed up for our service two Sundays ago. We sat and prayed and read the words of Jesus together. We showed up and God was present. He always shows up. He is always down there. I feel privileged to be able to lead people down there on Sunday evenings to join in His work. Is it worth my time? You betcha...
