#5 Following Through
We’re still learning. Always learning. Recently, we have learned the importance of following through. Already, we’ve learned the value of consistency among the communities we serve. As consistent volunteers, the people there get to know and trust us. They know we are not there to judge but to love. They know we are not there to take but to give. They know we are not there to condemn but to show kindness. They know we come not to levy any expectations on them but to simply share the good news of grace and point them to Jesus. However, a couple of recent situations have shown us that not only is returning regularly important to the people in the communities we visit, so is following through with whatever we say will do or bring.
About two months ago, I asked a lady if there was anything I could bring that would be helpful for her household. She said she would love to have a portable radio. I said sure. However, I had not seen her again. Then, two Saturdays ago as we were leaving, I noticed some snack bags of chips that must have been set aside by mistake or would have surely been given out. I called out to a couple sitting at the top of their apartment stairs, “We have some leftover bags of chips! Would you like them?” The lady said yes, and I ran them up to her. Looking intently at me, she said, “You are the one who said you would bring me a radio.” I explained I had not seen her and did not know which apartment was hers. So, I gave it to her, and she received it with much joy.
Earlier that day, a man I’ll call Mr. G came to our tables. We did not have clothes his size. So, I typed his information into my notes app and told him to come by next week. However, he did not come see us. So, Shawn and I took the items to his apartment. When no one answered, we left the bag at his front door. Leaving the complex, I glanced over at some men sitting in chairs along the sidewalk just outside the entrance. Mr. G, immediately recognizing me, pointed. Shawn pulled to the curb as I rolled my window down and called, “Hi, Mr. G!” “You said you would bring me clothes! I was told you guys didn’t come today,” he stated. “We were here,” I responded, “and we left the clothes at your door.” Surprised, he said, “You did? Was there a pork skins bag there?” I replied, “Yes, and a chair.” He smiled and said we had taken them to the correct door, and then thanked us.
As we continue to learn how to love and serve our neighbors downtown, these situations have shown us the significance of following through on what we say we will do or bring. It could be easy to think, “Oh, well. I didn’t have a chance to find what I said I would bring” and blow it off as unimportant. But to the person who looks forward to it, it is very important. And I do not think it is even so much the items themselves but that the person knows he or she was worth us remembering and keeping our word to – WHICH IS ONE MORE REASON WHY THE ROBIN GOOD MINISTRY IS NECESSARY! I need your help to find the items I say we’ll bring! And when we cannot follow through for some reason, as does happen, I must take the initiative to let them know why, and that it is not that they were forgotten or unimportant.
THIS WEEK, we are planning a cookout! Your prayers for good weather and many volunteers would be very appreciated! I also need an XL men’s belt (~42-inches), a fan – the kind on a pole that the height can be adjusted on, XL men’s t-shirts, queen-sized bed sheets, and covers for a 3-cushion couch and a 1-cushion chair. And we are always in need of food and men’s casual clothes in all sizes. So, if you want to donate any of these items for me to take this Saturday, I can pick them up. Just let me know via a direct email or the Contact Us form. For any items on the Items ALWAYS Needed list, I can get them at church or a time convenient for you.And ALWAYS, you are welcome to join us on any given Saturday!
Thank you for your support!
Holly