Share
RSSAugust 8 , Proper 14
by the Rev. Barbara Cawthorne Crafton for ERD
8/8/2004
Genesis 15:1-6
Psalm 33 or 33:12-15,18-22
Hebrews 11:1-3(4-7)8-16
Luke 12:32-40
"But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what time the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." -- Luke 12:39-40 (NRSV)
Sam was ready for anything: young, energetic, just getting his business off the ground, eager to succeed and give his little boy the things he needed. There were just the two of them: Sam was a single father. And, for the first time in a while, things were looking good: he'd just received his first big contract. This was the beginning of good things, and Sam was ready.
Ready, that is, except for one thing: Sam didn't have insurance on the business. There was no money yet, and the insurance premiums would be high. If he could just fulfill this contract, he'd have enough to insure the business, and he'd be set.
The weather in San Diego Country was hot and dry--scary hot and dry. Several wildfires had already started, and firefighters from all over the country were pouring into the Southern California. They would probably get the flames under control. But things got scarier as three days passed and the fires still burned, racing beyond the reach of all the human forces arrayed against them. Sam and his little boy watched the fires on the television. Sam made sure his son wasn't scared. We'll be fine, he told him. Inside, though, Sam was beginning to wonder about that.
And the next day, things weren't fine at all. The fire hit his business—but not before Sam got out safely with everything he needed to do the job on which his business depended. Almost everything. They salvaged everything he needed to do the job but one piece — part of his remote control system. There wasn't time to go back for it. In seconds, the part Sam needed was a puddle of melted plastic.
As soon as San Diego County was declared a disaster area, Episcopal Community Services in the Diocese of San Diego received disaster relief funds from Episcopal Relief and Development. From the money, ECS was able to advance Sam the cash he needed to buy the part so he could finish the job, and that's what he did. Hearing of his plight, the supplier of the missing part—who also did business with ECS — notified him that, under the circumstances, they had decided to install it for no charge. Sam got his part, did the job, and continues his insured journey toward prosperity for him and his son.
Bad things can happen quickly, with little or no warning. But Jesus is faster, and stronger. Empowered by his Holy Spirit, and by the spirit of generosity of people Sam and his son will never meet, ERD can move pretty quickly, too.
Episcopal Relief and Development saves lives and builds hope in communities around the world. We provide emergency assistance in times of disaster. When the immediate crisis is over, we rebuild devastated communities and offer long-term solutions in the areas of food security, health care, and HIV/AIDS.
