I've noticed a peculiar trend at our little church. It's something that makes the pessimist in me ask, "why bother?"
It seems a person or family will go through a trauma and lean heavily on the body of Christ. We're a small church where pretty much everyone works. And works hard. Not a lot of time, not a lot of money. But when you need us, we'll give you what we got.
We'll visit you. Help your family. Take care of things while you're down. Even try to scrape together some money if that's what you need.
After the dust settles and it is time for life to move on, the people who had the need disappear. No goodbyes, so longs or farewells. Some of the time, not even a thank you.
One family had a father and husband in Iraq. He left behind a wife, a early teen son and a 16 year old daughter. When something needed to be fixed on his home, someone took care of it. His car needed running every week to keep it going. Someone drove it. Even had the oil changed. When it was discovered that his battery was dead, someone bought a new one. When his daughter needed clutch lessons to drive his car while he was away, someone took time out to teach her.
After he returned, he was welcomed with much applause. Not long after that, he and his family started going to another church that they felt was more exciting. No goodbyes, so longs or farewells.
Another family; the mother/wife was sick. Everyone loved her. Helped work on her house. Visited her in the hospital. Helped with her funeral when she died. Wasn't long before the husband and the daughter disappeared. No goodbyes, so longs or farewells.
A husband and stepfather had a terrible accident. He should have died. People swarmed the emergency room. Held his wife's hand while he went through a grouling recovery. People mowed his grass. Tried to take care of things while he was in recovery. He returned with a great testimony for God. Had a granddaughter and dedidcated her to God with us. We all took a pledge to help raise her in the love of the Lord. Then they dissapeared. Seems they found a more exciting church. So I guess we can't fulfill our pledge. No goodbyes, so longs or farewells.
There was a lady and her family who came and got involved in the church. There was definitely a place for them there. Everybody loved them. She got cancer and was sick for a long while. It seemed she was perpetually on the prayer list. We all helped out as best as we could. She has recovered, but for whatever reason has decided not to come back. No goodbyes, so longs or farewells.
Another woman had been with the church for a long time. We've been with her for every mistake she's made and welcomed her back. Helped her move uncountable times. She had two sons by different guys. Neither one hung around to be a father. Many of the men tried to fill in the gap with the boys, which was difficult because both had severe behavioral problems. We did our best. Then one of the boys became dreadfully sick. Again, visits to the hospital, help with maintenance, prayers upon prayers. The boy was healed, miraculously I say, and has been released from the hospital. Guess what. They've disappeared. No goodbyes, so longs or farewells.
You know, if the reward for pouring out your heart and emotions, taking time out of an already tight schedule and sometimes money from an already tight budget to help people is only to be rewarded with shunning, it sorta makes me not want to try anymore. Am I missing something? I'm afraid I'm developing emotional calluses. I liked these people.
I know that's not what Got wants from us. It's not for a reward down here, I know. But I would think so-called God's people would be a little more grateful.
