During the past few mornings, I’ve been hearing about a local Assembly of God pastor who’s been camped out on the roof of his church until he gets 500 turkeys to give to poor people. Here’s a link to more information. As it happens, I had a vague idea where his church is. We also had high winds and storm warnings on Tuesday night and the temperature’s dropped abruptly this week. It’s the kind of weather I’d be reluctant to send a dog out into, yet here’s this pastor on the roof of his church, not proselytizing, just trying to do something to help people out.
Now, I’m not the Assembly of God. I’m not born again in the sense they use the word; my closest friends include a gay man and a couple of Wiccans and I consider them as good, honorable, and decent as any Christian I’ve known. I drink wine and other booze, don’t really understand not using wine at Communion, and I’m not comfortable around people I suspect of being inclined to proselytize. This guy wasn’t though.
Unlike me, he was undergoing hardship to do the right thing. I may be liberal, gay- and Wiccan-loving Christian, but even I can see that. I think he’s absolutely crazy to be out in lousy November weather, but I can’t help but admire that kind of craziness. How can I not? His church isn’t that close to where I live, and I’ve never bought a turkey in my life. You guessed it. I stopped by a grocery store and bought one, or, more accurately, two, drove to his church, and gave them to him (I did call to make sure someone would be there to accept them). He wasn’t, as it happens, completely exposed to the elements – he was in a rather large tent – but I’d considered the possibility while driving out there and had decided it didn’t matter.
I still think he’s crazy, but it’s a good kind of crazy.
I’m not telling this story to witness. I was just amused and bemused by it, and I though others around here might be, too. We’re quick enough to bash obnoxious Christians around here, and I do my share of it. I figured I’d give credit to someone who, in my book, is doing things right.
By the way, he has now got his 500 turkeys. I’m glad – temperatures dipped below freezing last night and they’re calling for snow!
CJ
