The Car Wash

I just returned home from St Andrew's 25 cent Car Wash.  The Lord has blessed us again! There were lots of beautiful happenings this day. The weather was perfect. We had just the right amount of help with a showing from every age-category at St Andrews. We had a steady stream of visitors, enough buckets and sponges and plenty of pizza.

Even better than what was going on outside is what was going on inside. We had folks looking us over, taking a tour, and giving us prayer requests. Many were meeting us for the first time and hopefully not the last. To all of you who attended, young and old, washers and "supervisors", many blessings to you and your family!

It was lots of fun seeing our guests' exressions when they were told we really, truly didn't want a donation. They were invited to come on Sunday and give the donation themselves or go down the street to the Boy Scouts car wash and give it to them. I hope that all of the folks do one or both.

I recall looks of puzzlement, amazement and even suspicion as folks were handed the quarter and brochure. A lady left on the verge of tears, understanding that we were 'doing the Lord's work'. When I refused a donation for the fourth and final time, one lady looked like she was either mad at me or thought I was crazy. Maybe some of both.

I got to thinking that the people probably thought the same things about Jesus when He served communities in his time. His message must have puzzled society. "What's the catch" they wondered. Mercy? Grace? Service? For free?? Is he crazy? And then I'm guessing he made them mad when they realized that Jesus wanted them to do the same. Jesus made quite the impact on His community and the world.

We may never know the impact this day has made on our community or our church. But surely an impact has been made. God doesn't bless something so obviously and then let the effort "fall to the ground". I believe we made a difference between our members and with our neighbors. But I pray the biggest difference was to Jesus and His Church. I think we touched His heart this day and made His Church look like something to be considered by our guests. I tell people not to judge Jesus by His followers because sometimes Christians can act so awful. But not today. Today was a blessed day indeed!