Thursdays have become the busiest days at Lubbock Impact. From participants coming in to shop the Pantry and Clothing Closets, get a free haircut, attend a class, visit with local resources, or just grab a donut and coffee to fellowship with volunteers, the Coffee Hall is a happening place! Oh, did I mention there are clothing and food donations coming in at the same time as well? You get the picture.
On one particular Thursday, a lady walked in quiet and taking in all the action. She obviously was new to the hum of chatter greeting her. I was helping take donations in but turned to greet her. She gave a slight smile but the sadness in her eyes said more. As I asked her what I could help her with she said, “I don’t know why I’m here.” I invited her into the calmness of the sanctuary. Tears fell down her face as she explained it was her birthday, her first birthday since her mom passed. We prayed together that she would feel peace and joy in her day.
Then it was time to get her connected to the community of Lubbock Impact. We discussed her options for the food that she needed and what would best meet her family’s needs. Then it was time to address her work situation and help her find a job. I connected her with an agency that could with some grief counseling and while she wasn’t looking our team was orchestrating gathering a birthday bag that volunteers put together months ago. They never knew that this mom would need to feel the love and encouragement of a birthday cake and a card that I quickly was able to write. Nor did the donors who brought food to the pantry know it would go to feed a family that had run out of food or even the staff member who put on the pot of coffee that it would be warmth to a soul who was feeling the chill of grief.
Every day, (not just Thursday’s), Lubbock Impact’s doors are open for programming, volunteers and staff have the opportunity to greet participants and extend the love of Christ. What we all do together at Lubbock Impact is building a stronger community that wraps around those who don’t even know why they came through the doors, but they need HOPE. Lubbock Impact is different because of the thousands of volunteers who show up to help one another. April is Volunteer Appreciation month, and our staff definitely understand the value that volunteers bring to the endless possibilities to serve others. The encounter with the mom coming in had the fingerprints of so many volunteers that prepared for her arrival without ever getting the opportunity to meet her. I am so grateful that the Lord prepared me.