WHEN A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY...

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This has been a tough week.

A suicide in my extended family system.
The death of an inspiring gentelemen, Ken, from our congregation.
A brain aneurysm that killed a college freshmen from our community.
A hospital stay for my stepfather Steve.

This morning, worship was about the feeding of the 5000. A story we have all heard before. In Matthew's gospel, the detail that helps the story be heard in a new way is that in the verses preceding the miracle (Matthew 15:29-31), we learn that this miracle feast is for the ill and for their caregivers - ALL of whom are in need of sustenance beyond what they possess on their own.

I am reminded of multitudes who offer daily care to others - both within their own household and beyond.

I believe wholeheartedly in 'crumby theology' where a broken piece of bread has the possibility to nourish and sustain those who are exhausted and broken themselves.

And I know a little goes a long way some days.

Yesterday, in celebration of Jason's birthday, we saw that exponential increase unfold. Jason's desire was for forty birthday cards from friends and family - where forty dollars was given to a charity and a letter sent to him explaining where and why.

Those forty cards and forty dollars has multiplied into over $3000 given to organizations and people near and far.

In the midst of this difficult week, I celebrate this incredible list where the resources were given:

St. Jude's Hospital
Mercer County Juvenile Advisory Council
Cleveland Aquarium
Math Scholarship at Westminster College in honor of Warren Hickman
Yak Labor for the Central Asia Institute (Greg Mortensen)
Heifer Project International
To Greg Taylor, a man wrongly imprisoned for twenty years, now free.
Playground at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church
Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
To Margaret, a young woman with MS, walking in the MS walk in Minnesota
To Crystal who runs an orphanage in Nigeria
World Vision
SIDS support
Western Pennsylvania Table Project
Christian Appalachian Project
The Medical Partnership of Sabeneta de Yasica
Scholarship fund at Westminster College for math majors
Keystone Blind Association
Heifer Project
City Rescue Mission
Kirk House, Leadership house for CCO in Erie
Gas card to a family traveling to hospital in Cleveland
Campus Christian Organization
Products for Good, supporting disabled vets and families
Guthrie Presbyterian Church Library
Hope for Children of Haiti
Make A Wish
Samaritan's Purse
CCO, Kirk House
Western Pennsylvania Table Project
PC(USA) Theological Education Fund
Woodlawn Chapel Gifts of Hope (Mother's day gifts for moms with kids in children's hospital- kids give moms these gifts)
Africa Inland Mission
Joshua's Haven
Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex Pastor's Emergency Fund
Goodies for You (G4U) Care packages for military
Pastor's Emergency Fund
American Diabetes Association
Heifer Project
Shenango Senior Care Support
Pastor's Discretionary Fund
Partner's In Health - Paul Farmer's medical organization

A little goes a long way. For this we are encouraged and sustained.

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