“Whoever gives a cup of water to one of these little ones . . . will not lose his reward.” Jesus as quoted in Matthew 10

“Your coffee is ready” Jim

Some time ago I wrote about an “unholy trinity” of homeless men whom I met on Good Friday.  Today, the day to celebrate The Trinity in Roman Catholic and Western churches, I’d like to write about a “holy trinity” that I am familiar with.

First is Annie.  I met her in Chicago on my recent trip there to visit friends.  She works in an inner-city Lutheran School where my friend Ernie volunteers.  Annie arrives at the school by 6:00 a.m everyday to oversee the before school program.  She helps to get the children fed and ready for their day.  And then she stays in the lunchroom area to “run herd” on the children and insure that they are maintaining some modicum of good behavior.  When school is over Annie returns to her home where she lives with her 102 year-old father, and helps to take care of him. 

Then there is Jim.  I see him most Sundays.  He is the “chief cook and bottle washer” at the small mountain church I attend.  He is usually the first one there and makes the coffee.  He has it ready for me when I arrive, with my favorite cup no less.  When he was younger Jim was an expert carpenter, not unlike The One whom he follows.  He is well known in the Allenspark area for the remodeling work he has done on the cabins of many people.  He exemplifies what it means to be a humble, sincere, and kind follower of Christ.  Jim also organizes the Easter breakfast every year, and for a long time organized the once-a-month men’s bible study breakfast.  As far as I know Jim has never served on the church council, nor been a reader, nor held any other “important” position, be it in church or elsewhere.  Like him, his faith is soft-spoken and unobtrusive.

And then there is Carol.  She attended the church I pastored in New Mexico. Her passion in life has been children.  She exercises her love for them by teaching Sunday School and serving on the school board.  She believes that every child should know that they are beloved children of God, a truth Carol has come to embrace for herself.  Carol has had her share of heartache, which includes the death of her dear husband Tom, her dog Tahoe, and having to move from the ranch where she lived.  Through times of grieving and upheaval, Carol has remained steadfast in her faith, which is on display in the humble way she practices grace with others.

Annie, Jim and Carol are all quite unique.  They have lived very different lives, and practiced their faith in radically unique forms.  Yet they are strikingly similar, for each embody the love of God, and practice their faith in ways that are perfectly fit for them.  None of them will ever receive awards or be publicly acknowledged for their achievements or accomplishments.  Yet they have each made huge contributions to others in their small, seemingly insignificant ways which might not mean much to many others but mean the world to those whom they’ve individually touched.  Certainly, their small acts of kindness done in faith and love have not gone unnoticed by the God of Grace.