Big Things Come in Small Packages

Big things often come in small packages.

This was clearly true last Sunday afternoon as we served meals to people who are homeless and hungry. We were getting to the end of the food and things were winding down. People were still coming in small groups but the line was gone. A tall strong man noticed we might have some taco topping left over and asked Molly for whatever was left. He and Molly had spoken with each other during previous trips and he remembered her name. He’d tease her saying, “Good golly, Miss Molly.” With an overflowing plate in his hand, he persistently asked for more food. While the banter was playful on one level, I sensed an uncomfortable undertone so I walked over and stood by Molly. I quickly realized that Molly didn’t need any help. She playfully sparred with him and proved to be more than his match. As more people came through the line it appeared that little or nothing would be left. The man continued to push for whatever remained in the pot – now rather than later. But Molly patiently and kindly told him to wait until everybody was served. Then, as Molly scooped the final remains of taco meat from her pot for someone else, something totally wonderful happened. Ginger.

Ginger is a lot of woman in a small package. If I had to guess I’d put her at 4-foot 13-inches and somewhere south of 100 pounds – she is actually 5’2” (and I’ve learned that you never ask a woman’s weight). She is 70 years-young and going on 17. Her personality and love get splashed all over everything, everywhere she goes.

Ginger walked right up to the table, looked this very tall, strong man in the eye and commanded, “Come here. I have something to tell you.” He leaned over, and kept leaning down, down, down – eventually leaning close enough for Ginger to wrap her arms around his neck and whisper in his ear. After just a moment she let go. The man straightened, looked at Ginger and took a couple steps back, totally speechless. The guy who wouldn’t stop talking stood silent in response. Ginger just stood there smiling. Together we watched this man melt into the crowd and drift away pondering what just happened.

I asked Ginger, “What did you say to him?” She replied, “I told him that I loved him.”

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Your brother in Christ,
Paul