There is a story, I don’t know how true it is, about a statue of Christ that had had the hands broken off. In that story, the people of the town decide not to fix the hands. Instead they place a plaque there in front of the outstretched arms of Jesus. It reads, “Christ has no hands but ours.”
I thought of that today as I watched hands at work. I saw hands grasping shovels and rakes, garbage bags and sewing needles, paint brushes and rollers. I saw hands clad in gloves reach into the dirty ground and bring up weeds, rocks, glass, wrappers and mounds of dirt. I saw delicate hands wade through a sea of clothes and household items and find a place for everything, leaving order instead of chaos. I saw young and old hands wipe sweat from dripping brows. Hands were all around, and in every one I saw my Savior.
Today has been a day of miracles. It’s a miracle when almost 100 people get together and serve. It’s a miracle when those 100 people do so much for so many. The other miracle, one I shouldn’t have questioned when I left my house this morning, even though I did, was the weather. I don’t think I could have custom ordered a better day if I could have put in a request. It wasn’t too hot, or too cold. The wind was gentle and refreshing, and there wasn’t a drop of rain until the closing prayer was started.
Thank you to everyone who helped. The volunteers were amazing. The sponsors were out of this world. Here are our statistical reports to the best of my knowledge.
Day of Service
April 24, 2010
Event sponsors:
Fairfield Baptist Church: Brother Randy Franks, Pastor
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Bishop David Edmonds and Bishop David Durfey
Location:
Civic Park, Morristown, TN
Organizations served / Service projects rendered
Boys and Girls Club- Yard work, painting, piano tuning
Girls Inc- Yard work, painting, cleaning, cataloguing.
CEASE- painting, cleaning and organizing
Panther Creek State Park Kidwell Ridge Island clean up- trash removal and clean up
Humanitarian Services- Quilt tying (2 completed, 2 half way done.)
Letter writing to local soldiers (50+ letters)
Helping Hands Clinic - General cleaning, sanding and staining
Sponsors:
Dunkin’ Donuts – More donuts than we could eat.
TVA – Trash bags, frisbees
The Keyboard Shop – 2 piano’s tuned
Brian Gerasimos-Little Debbie 22 boxes of snack cakes
Ingles – Popsicles
Food City – bottled water
Wal-Mart - $50.00 for juice, paper goods, name tags, etc.
Kawasaki TN Inc.- gloves
Tidi Waste – port-a-potty
Home Depot - $25 for Boys and Girls club
Sherwin Williams – paint for CEASE
Volunteers:
Estimated: 100
Total 100
Hours donated:
Estimated: 500
Total: 450
Monetary value of service rendered:
$650.00 (Value from sponsors) + (450 hours donated x $7.00/hr)
Estimated monetary value $4150.00
Total: $3,800
It has made me think of prejudice in America. Against blacks, Hispanics, women, minorities, those who look or think or believe or vote differently than I do. Are there things that I do or say, or don't do or say that have the same effect that the writer of that letter had. Causing someone hang their head in shame, or worry about the GOOD DEEDS that were done, simply because of who was standing next to them?
There is a scene in "The Blind Side" where the tutor is getting ready to accept the job to tutor and she gets all serious and guilty and confessional. She says that she needs to tell (Sandra Bullock) something before she is hired. That she needs to be completely honest with her from the start because she has had bad outcomes when people find out this particular horrible thing about her.
The big secret is that she's a democrat.
You might not get that if you've never lived in the south. Though, if you live in Utah, you might get it.
I love that scene. Firstly because I got it. We watched that movie in Texas on our anniversary trip and I think that Jonathon and I were the only ones in the little theater that got it. Second because they do such a good job and showing how silly it is that it's even an issue. Ok, if she were applying to be the RNC secretary it might be pertinent, but a tutor? Where does that fit in to the job description?
I feel that way about Saturday. Did any one's religious affiliation affect their ability to paint or pick up trash or serve? Didn't Jesus teach about the Samaritan? The leper? The outcast?
This is my lesson learned. I may, in fact I do feel strongly about the things that I believe. But does the way I believe need to make me look down or tear down another? Does someone need to be just like me to deserve my love and respect? And can that include whoever wrote that letter and those who won't stand next to me anymore?
5 comments:
Wow Sarah! First of all WOW that you pulled it off.
Then I was saying WOW how awesome that you worked with another church, because I know that anit-Mormon sentiment runs deep in the south. I was so grateful that you bridged that gap.
And then WOW, how sad that not even service can be done side by side with a Mormon, without shame and embarrassment. That makes me sad. We are all God's children and I can understand if you don't care for someone else's doctrine (even mine) but it is too bad that we can not put that aside to unite together for the sake of humanity.
Kudos to you for pulling off this event though, and whether you get the warm feedback that you should, I know that you shed a positive light on the church's name in a place where that is a fight. Well done!
So beautifully expressed, and so much learned. You amaze and inspire me continually, Sarah, and I'm so proud of you. I love your open- hearted, compassionate view. Sometimes I wonder where this great nation is headed, but when I read your comments, I have renewed faith.
love to you.
I am with Julie on this one! WOW! That seriously is really awesome!!
Guess it's true about the South. We are fortunate to live where we do, where there is an "anti-Mormon" sentiment, but it's not as blatant as what you experienced. All we can do is keep trying to be a good example, and hope that overrides their feelings. Congrats on doing your calling well!
This is so impressive. Very well written observations, as well. Kudos to you, and to all the hundred pairs of hands that assisted in pulling off this miracle.
Patience is easier said than done, but I think in time, through things like this, you'll find anti-Mormon sentiment diminishing in your area. It takes people like you, and real action like your Day of Service to put rumors to rest. Congratulations! I want to shout to the world - "Hey out there, that's my awesome niece doing all that awesome stuff!!!!!"
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