Commentary By Richie Hayes
Beyond these walls:
A story of generosity

Sitting in a lounge chair outside the church, I was reading Richard Dunagin's book, "Beyond These Walls: Building the Church in a Built-Out Neighborhood," when I heard a van pull into the parking lot.

The driver asked, "Is this the place to leave water?" I replied to the attractive, middle-class woman, "You have found it. Let me give you a hand." Just a few days ago, we had placed on the church marquee a message that Saturday morning would be a drop-off time for bottled water to go to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

I looked into her Astrovan to see eight cases of bottled water. She said, "I have been blessed this year, and I want to help out. I am from the community and saw your sign yesterday."

I told her I would get the dolly to roll the cases into the church. I gave her a slip of paper which had a printed "thank you" along with a Bible verse about giving a cup of water.

She said, "I would like to do more. I am trying to think of another project." I gave her a list of items for the health kits our church would be sending. She asked if she could give me cash for the kits. She began to dig in her purse as her teenage daughter assisted me in stacking the cases of water. I saw two small children watching our work from the backseat of the van. I told her how much we appreciated her contribution and suggested that she use the slip of paper I gave her as a receipt for charitable contribution.

The mother said, "You don't understand. I have been really blessed this year. You see, now my kids have food to eat. We have a place to live, and I have a job making money. I have just completed my last month on food stamps. My kids have good, clean clothes, and we are not wanting for anything. We are going to be fine now. We have been blessed! When I saw the reports of those children that don't have water to drink, I knew what that was like. If this money and this water can help someone, I want it to go there. I hope you all get a truck full."

My head told me that this lady needed to keep her $60 for a rainy day, but my heart told me that indeed she and her family were going to be fine, that they were blessed.

After she left, I picked up my book and read Dunagin's words, "The gospel is authenticated when we care for those who cannot do anything for us in return." This mother from the neighborhood demonstrated unconditional generosity because she knew what desperation is all about.

This story is surely one of a multitude throughout Holston Conference. What an opportunity to go beyond the walls!

The Rev. Hayes is pastor at Anderson Street United Methodist Church in Abingdon District.

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