Gravy Train

On Labor Day my mother and I volunteered with the Salvation Army to deliver food to folks who were working on flooded homes in the Souris River Valley. We were assigned to a "canteen" that drove around flood-stricken areas of Minot, ND and offered food and water to anyone who wanted it. We served 225 meals of carrots, hamburgers with gravy, mashed potatoes, bread and a fruit cup. What an experience! The Salvation Army does great work. They were well organized and efficient in the way the meals were made and delivered. At the beginning of the work day the volunteers were gathered together for a short meeting on the guidelines and expectations and then a chaplain gave a short devotion. On this particular day he talked briefly about the parable of the Good Samaritan. He said there are three types of people: those who take from others, those who keep what they have for themselves, and those who share what they have with others. I would like to think I'm in the third category, but the truth is I flip-flop between them all. I don't blatantly steal from others, but I have been known to withhold myself and my gifts. Anyway, on this particular day, the Salvation Army (and my mother) gave me a chance to share with others and I'm grateful for the opportunity. When you see the bell ringers at Christmas please put some coins or bills in their red pails as I can tell you from personal experience they do wondrous things for folks who are deep in despair.