These days it is easy to get caught up in all the time and effort surrounding the issues we have with the City of Phoenix and those neighbors who are in opposition to our presence at CrossRoads UMC.

It’s easy to get riled up.

It takes effort to remember who we are and why we are here and to express our gratitude.

In my role as the leader of Prodigal’s Home, but not being the primary teaching pastor on Saturday mornings, I get to sit with those we serve and listen to a great message of hope each weekend.

Even during the message things are pretty “active” on the front lawn.  There is life… and hope… and pain… and restoration… and aluminum foil.

Aluminum foil?

So the other day as Pastor Tom is delivering the message I see my new friend Brad, a man who has been serving with us for a while, walking to my friend Judy who is in a wheelchair and very poor.  He has a big box of aluminum foil in his hands.  Judy lives indoors but is very poor and has been with us for several years.

Judy is directly to the right of Pastor Tom just 15 feet away.

And I sit and watch.  Watch what Brad is doing.  Watching people caring for each other.  Watching what is going to happen next.

And just as there is this dramatic pause in Tom’s message I hear the LOUD sound of a BIG piece of industrial aluminum foil being rrrrripped from the box.

Brad had found out Judy was hoping to take a plate of food home this day.  But how do you do that with an open plate of food on a city bus?

So Brad went on a mission.  And found the aluminum foil.

It reminded me of the story of the paralytic being lowered through Peter’s roof as Jesus was delivering a message.  It kinda changed the dynamic of the moment, eh?

Things moved on that morning after Brad made up the plate of food-to-go for Judy.

This kind of stuff happens ALL THE TIME at Prodigal’s Home.  And I am THANKFUL for all of you on this Thanksgiving Day.  Thankful you continue to support us during this difficult time.

Thankful you allow us, through your generous support, to “lower our friends through the roof” to hear the healing message of Jesus Christ.

Even if we’re just ripping off a sheet of aluminum foil.
Grace & Peace,

Mike