Last Wednesday night we had a community ministry focus night, an engaging evening with representatives from agencies that meet needs of individuals and families when they find themselves in difficult circumstances. We heard about Caritas, The Free Clinic, The Coalition of Churches, and Department of Social Services. It was encouraging to hear of the good work that each of these groups participate in, and to know that May Memorial partners with these is a reminder of how God works through our church is many different ways.
Caritas, based in Richmond, is a huge agency that provides space, support, education, and training for those who are experiencing homelessness. Caritas has renovated a massive warehouse that once belonged to Phillip Morris, and now that building is made up of dozens of spaces where folks can live while they get back on their feet. Caritas also provides long term rehab for those suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. It is an amazing work that touches thousands of lives each year.
After Clara Stokes completed her presentation about Caritas, we all were speechless at the size and scope of their work. The next presenter was Patsy Goodwyn, and as she started, she made a comment about the size of the Coalition’s work compared to that of Caritas. And there is a vast difference. Caritas is huge, the Coalition of Powhatan Churches' work is much more limited.
I have thought about this difference in size and scope since last week. The huge reach of an agency like Caritas, and the more limited work of a local agency like the COPC. This difference exists in churches as well. I think of a church of another denomination in Richmond that I have become familiar with this year, and even with the pandemic their yearly budget still exceeds two million dollars. Large churches, agencies, and small churches, small agencies.
I saw a quote a few weeks ago by the Dalai Lama: “Those who think they’re too small to make a difference have never slept with a mosquito in the room.”
Over the past few years as I have become more involved with the COPC I have heard and seen how people’s lives have been deeply affected by the work they do. People who would not have food, children who needed a physical in order to stay in school, families who would have their electricity turned off, parents and children who found housing after sleeping in their car in the Wal-Mart parking lot. For all of these and many more, the COPC, supported by churches like May Memorial, have made a difference in these lives. There have not been a huge number of families (compared to Caritas), but for the families who have had their needs met, the impact has been huge.
Small things in God’s hands make a huge difference in our world. And this is important for us to remember. Yesterday our children collected our three cents a meal offering. Except for two cents, or one cent, you can’t get any smaller than three cents. And yet we bring that offering every fourth Sunday, and God has honored our commitment to this giving work. God has used this small thing to touch lives in our community, to restore hope when it was almost gone.
Let us never grow skeptical of small things. Small things make big differences. And remember, those who think they’re too small to make a difference should try sleeping with a mosquito in the room.