Community Makes A Difference

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as ant had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2: 42-47 (NRSV)

In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coasts must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Acts 3:11 (NRSV)

Sandi Somers lives in Alberta, Canada. One day, a bakery donated five times their regular amount of day-old bread to the donation program run by the pregnancy center in their city. It was more than the pregnancy center needed, and their freezer was too full to store it. To prevent the bread from expiring and going to waste, the leaders of the center reached out to a large church which had begun a boxed-lunch ministry to feed those who were homeless, fleeing domestic violence, or had low incomes. It just so happened that the church program had forgotten to order bread for that day, and the organizers were delighted to receive this donation.

The workers at the bakery didn't know the needs of the pregnancy center or the church that day, but God did. And when thee two organizations partnered together, they made a difference for many in need. When God prompts us to care for the most vulnerable, God may be working out the details in amazing ways. We can be part of a community of donors working together to make a difference.

Prayer: God our Provider, thank you for supplying our needs. May we listen as you prompt us to be a part of your community of givers, in Jesus' name. Amen.