Advent Devotional: Friday, December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

The King will reply, ‘What I’m about to tell you is true. Anything you did for one of the least important of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40

Illustrated by Jones Woodard (Age 7)

Everyone has a story. It’s the stories that bind us together and teach us how to follow God’s path. It’s the stories that show us the humanity in all of us and remind us that God sees his image reflected in us. If you were to go to Roof Above’s website, you will see a number of stories about resilience, determination and love. It’s stories like these that drew Michael and I along with our dear friends, Nancy and Tim Maguire, to lead SMPC’s Room in the Inn shelter ministry. Through this outreach ministry we have seen the stories come to life firsthand. These stories stay with you — like the father who relocated to Charlotte with his wife and four children searching for a better life. Like the young mother who moved to Charlotte to find a job while her child is being cared for by her mother in NY. We can’t forget the military veteran who was starting a new job but was worried his health wouldn’t allow him to keep the job or the mother with her one-month-old baby navigating postpartum with the help of a loving friend. All of these stories and many more are why we continue to serve our unhoused neighbors through Room in the Inn each year.

Room in the Inn is a Roof Above partnership that works with local churches to provide on-site shelter and food for the homeless during the winter months. South Mecklenburg Presbyterian partners with Sardis Presbyterian to provide a warm meal, fellowship, and shelter to 13 neighbors. Room in the Inn is an opportunity to convene with our neighbors, hear their stories and recognize that we are all God’s children. Every time we welcome a new group of neighbors, I am struck by not only the gratitude but the humbleness of those who join us. Faith is truly on display during these times. During one of the evenings we served, a neighbor gathered us together to pray. His prayer was one of thanksgiving and love. While his circumstances may have left him without food or shelter, his heart was full of love and faith. I often reflect on his prayer to remind me that everyone has a story and doing God’s work continues to bring new stories to life.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings you bring to us and to our neighbors. Help us to continue to write and live our stories in your image. In your name we pray, Amen