One and Done

One year ago we showed up at a local apartment complex and hosted an Easter Egg Hunt.  I didn't know what to expect, I just knew God was leading us there.  We were greeted with 83 super excited kids, who probably thought we were there for the day, and they would never see us again.  Huh...I may have thought that, too.  I don't know that we went into this thinking we were forming life long relationships.  But, when I saw Luis who had a bag full of Easter eggs walk up to Litzi who arrived too late for the hunt, and share his eggs with her, I knew I wanted to know more about that servant hearted kid.

Flash forward.....A dozen birthday parties, 6 babies born, homelessness, tears, job loss, behavior plans at school, cancer, deportation, prayer, unexpected pregnancies, dinners, volleyball teams, homework huddle every week, Trick-or-Treating......LIFE.  You see, once was not enough.  We fell in love with these kids, these families, I can't imagine life without them.

Last week I was talking to my friend, Carlos, who had been at one apartment complex for several years.  He was talking about all of the people and groups who had come and gone.  He was somewhat sad as he told me about the various groups he had engaged with.  He talked about the things they did. He talked about the relationships formed and lost.

I thought about the day he moved from this apartment complex to another.  I was devastated...would I ever see him again?  Would he keep in touch and use the cell number I gave him?  It turns out he would and he did.  I've seen several families, my friends, leave, and each time I get a sick feeling in my stomach, like a loss.  The same feeling I had when my friend, Kristie moved when we were in 2nd grade.  She was my first friend who moved away.  I remember that pit in my stomach, how we would write letters, and soon those letters became fewer and farther between, until we lost contact.  

Today I found out one of my newer friends moved.  He and his mom and brothers didn't say good bye.  I didn't even have a clue they were thinking about leaving.  Is this what it felt like to Carlos when a group would come and do a "one and done" activity?  I'm not trying to knock those groups who do a one time activity.  Sometimes those things are necessary, but when you start doing LIFE with people and you realize you are in it for the long haul, you are subject to hurt.  

So I've realized it is extremely important to follow through with your intentions.  People are not projects. In God's eyes, we are all created equally.  To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.  Jesus also wants a relationship with us.  He wants us to be in relationship with HIS people, all of HIS people.  Next time you think about doing something for someone, be intentional.  Reach out to them again and again.  Do life with them.  Sometimes it can be messy, but when they become your people, you know you are living out what Jesus would want you to do.  

1 John 3:18   Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.