GRACE

One Saturday of every month, I host a prayer breakfast for adults in my home. One day, we noticed a diverse group of children walking up and down my street with nowhere to go and nothing to do. Idle time can create trouble for pre-teens and teenagers, especially without much supervision at home. I prayed and asked God, “Lord, if you want me to start a Bible class for these kids, then send me five to participate. I could hold a class on the other three Saturdays of each month.” I chose the number five because of the five letters in the word, Grace. G-R-A-C-E is love in action. Grace is what every man needs, what none can earn, and what God alone can and does freely give. God sent more than five on that first Saturday. In fact, for the past nine years, kids have come for a hot cooked breakfast, Bible study, memorization time, and singing and music time. The kids are sometimes accompanied by adults. The Bible class eventually grew to over 30 kids, three Saturdays a month. It now even includes kids who don’t live in the neighborhood. These kids ask to be dropped off, or call for a ride. They want to get here. The kids especially love the music. We play the piano and sing praises to the Lord. Memorization time is spent learning the Ten Commandments and Bible verses. Hebrews 10:25 says “Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the day approaching”. The command here is to meet together to worship God, and as Christians, it is important for us to do so! Many of these kids and adults began coming simply for a hot meal. Some have been without several meals by the time they got here, and ask if they could take any leftover food. I’ve been asked if I was ever afraid, having strangers coming into my home every week. My answer was “never”. God takes care of me in doing the work He called me to do. Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.” In my small house with kids spread out everywhere, the fruits of our labors are surely realized.