When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! James 1:9 (MSG)

Yesterday I had a phone message sitting on my desk…you know the old school kind that someone jots down on a piece of paper and you read it. It was from a lady we have helped with groceries and some money to help pay some bills. Usually these encounters burden me, but its different with Michelle and her family. You get a real sense that they need the help and they are very appreciative. So I was somewhat excited somewhat nervous about what they would need this time around. Well they were needing help moving. My heart sank a bit. It seems to me that moving only deepens a cycle of financial difficulties. But this time was different. She had the owner of an apartment complex contact her about living in an apartment offering free rent for the next month and a half. Then she contacted the Uhaul to arrange a truck and they offered her free use of a truck for 6 hours plus 2 utility dollies no charge. I was so pumped and quickly agreed to help her out thinking I could make a couple of phone calls and round up a few guys to move the family. Well afternoon came and I had only lined up myself, my wife and one other guy. This was not shaping up to be the ideal scenario. We could do it…it would just take awhile. A little later in the afternoon I called her back to set up the details and found her really excited. “Mr. Kenyon,” she said. “You won’t believe what has happened.” I braced myself. “A moving company contacted me and is going to send three guys out in the morning to help us move for $60.” Wow. She went on to say that God is just blessing her so much and we talked about all the awesome things that are happening for her and her family. So different from the other conversations we have had. The depressing stories of one hardship followed by another. And this morning I read the passage above. So today we cheer for Michelle and her family! We celebrate the blessings that God is pouring out.

The day before I was contacted by Gary. We’ve helped Gary out several times with gas and some shoes. After awhile you begin to sense that your help is not really helping. So I began to probe a little deeper into the issues that Gary was having. As I began to ask some questions he became evasive. His “pay as you go” cell phone was quickly running out of minutes he was needing to get off the phone. I hastily encouraged him to come by the office and meet with me so we could talk some more. He agreed and said he’d come by.

I hope that I get to cheer with Gary just like I did with Michelle.

Who are you cheering with?