pantry

Week 2 is in the books, y’all.

Call me unoriginal, but I found myself at the Storehouse again yesterday, bagging goodies for the folks that came through the pantry and praying over them as they left. I am so blessed that God brought me to this place where the spirit of God is so thick that it could be cut with a knife. I am so blessed by this ministry and thank God for its existence.

Now that school is out for the summer, there have been lots of little ones coming through. Of course you know I am loving that though it does seem to bring some mixed emotions as they rip into the bag of food that they just picked from the shelf; happy that they have some food to eat yet somber wondering what they would have done if places like the Storehouse, Soul Food mission cafe, and Bethlehem House didn’t exist.

God, please continue to bless these ministries as they reach out to people who need to know that they are loved and that their life is important to not only the community of Conway, but moreso to you.

The best story of the day belongs to a young man who is 8 years old. *Jackson was there with his mom and after I had bagged up their groceries, I asked mom if there was anything specific she wanted to pray about and this sweet little voice said, “Pray? What does that mean?” As I explained to him what it meant to pray and how God hears us and how we are never alone, I asked him if he knew who Jesus was. He replied, “I’m not sure. I think I have heard of him before but would you tell me anyway?” With that question, the heart of this children’s ministry volunteer jumped with excitement as I told him that God had a son for us because he loves us so much and that Jesus was his name and he wanted to be our friend. I told *Jackson that God would listen to us as we prayed and sometimes he would talk back and he got real quiet and put his hand up to his ear and said, “I don’t hear anything,” and I said that sometimes he talks to us when we pray to him so Jackson said, “Well, let’s pray then!”

The prayers of this sweet little boy will forever be in my heart. He said,” God,I don’t really know who you are but this lady says that you had a son named Jesus who loves me and I think I would like it if you would live in my heart and leave with me today. I’d also like it if you would give me some Pokemon stuff, too.”

The tear that slipped down my cheek as Jackson prayed the first prayer of his life quickly gave way to a chuckle as I realized how important the faith of a child is to our Father. This week at VBS at my church, Conway First church of the Nazarene, we gave the kids in attendance a yellow bracelet that reads “Watch for God.” I gave mine to Jackson and as he left I thought about how good God was to allow me to see him move in Jackson’s heart. Scripture says, “My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face.’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8) When we seek God, he always gives us more than enough of his spirit.

I hear a lot of “Bible belt” talk and how because of where we live in this nation, we automatically must know who Jesus is and how to pray, but that is not true. God bless the missionaries that travel to the far ends of the world; also bless the ones that I am fortunate enough to have met along this path that God has led me; there are truly some amazing missionaries in Conway, Arkansas.

If you are willing to pray for *Jackson and his mom, thank you so much. If you are like Jackson and want a relationship with Jesus, please let me or someone else know. You can send me a message via messenger, or come boldly as you are and in the comments let me know.

Love to you all.