Eyes to See
I am learning this is through the lives of the many who are a part of Denver Community Church. Day after day I am witness to the love and compassion of men and women who respond to the needs they see in front of them everyday.
My friend Justin loves rock climbing and began to consider how he could serve. One day, while climbing at an indoor gym he offered to belay another climber who was alone. When it was Justin’s turn to climb the stranger offered to belay him. Through conversation that followed, Justin learned of some needs in this fellow’s life. In that moment he saw an opportunity to be a friend to a person. For him, it was that simple.
My friend Katie learned some hard news about a woman who is a long time family friend. In a few months time, her friend was diagnosed with cancer and incarcerated. Katie heard the news and learned that the jail where her friend is incarcerated is less than thirty minutes from Denver. She emailed me and told me of her fear. Would she know what to say? Would she know what to do? The idea of visiting jail was unknown and frightening. In spite of that she said, “… I so badly want her to know how loved she is.” So she went, and told her family friend how deeply loved she is. The need was there, she saw it and she responded.
My friend Mark was shoveling his sidewalk after a huge snowstorm in January. As he shoveled a homeless fellow was walking down the middle of the street. Mark struck up conversation with the guy. That’s when he saw that this man who was homeless had only old sneakers with holes in them. Mark asked what size shoe the man wore, and it turned out to be Mark’s size. He wasted no time. He took off his boots and gave them to this homeless fellow. The need was simple: warm shoes. Mark saw it and did something.
My friend Charity heard of a family in our church who learned their child had a brain tumor. She was deeply moved, and began to pray for this family asking God, “How can I encourage them, and other families like them?” She told a friend about her prayers, and found out about Baldric’s Society. She decided to raise money for pediatric cancer research, and last Friday went to the fundraiser where two child cancer survivors shaved her head. Now she is telling the story everywhere she goes.