Recently I read something I really liked.  “If Plan A doesn’t work, remember there are 25 other letters of the alphabet.”  Today was that kind  of day.

Plan A – For sometime, the Albers Men’s Class and the Living Stones Bible Study Fellowship of First Baptist Church Richardson had been planning and preparing to furnish a supper for The Well in Oak Cliff.  The Well ministers to people with mental illness.  Last year we took lunch once a month, but this year they asked us to furnish a meal on a Thursday night once a quarter.  On Thursday nights, they have almost 100 people who come for supper and a worship service.  I hear they have their own band for the praise service, and we have been looking forward to hearing their band and worshiping with them.

Early this morning I got a call from Claudia (our precious friend who works tirelessly at The Well) with bad news.  The air conditioning was out at Cliff Temple Baptist Church where The Well is located.  The supper and praise service had been cancelled.  I completely understood, but…

I had been to SAM’S and there were 8 party sized lasagnas (serves 12) in my refrigerator thawing along with 5 (2 1/2 pounds) bags of salad and 6  (2 pound) containers of strawberries.

In the freezer were three humongous boxes of Garlic Texas Toast.

On the cabinet, sat 4 jars of Olive Garden salad dressing, 8 angel food cakes, and two (2 pound) containers of Cherub tomatoes.  Since the lasagnas had started thawing, I didn’t think I could refreeze them.  What to do?

Plan B – I sent out an email asking if anybody wanted to buy dinner for 12 for $30.00.  No replies.  Ever-Lovin’ said I was being impatient, but honestly, most of the members of our classes have two people in their family – at best.  I prayed and tried to think what to do.  Surely all this food could be used to honor Christ.  That is why it was bought.

Plan C – Maybe someone at the church would have an idea, so I called the church.  Candy and Brett were out of their offices, so I told the kind receptionist Francine my problem.  She said she would ask Beth in the kitchen.  Beth fully understood the situation and had an idea.  Yea!  She told me to call Margie who was in charge of taking a meal to the Austin Street Center tonight.  Yes, they were going in just a few hours.

Here is what I read about the Austin Street Center on their website:

Austin Street Center provides emergency shelter and related services to the homeless person in a compassionate, faith-based community and provides “whole person” therapeutic programs so that the person in need might be better able to make responsible choices, positive changes and have economic self-sufficiency.

We provide the basics of food, shelter, showers, clothing and, when necessary, medical attention, to those who come to us each day. Austin Street Center has become nationally recognized for its unique therapeutic program for the homeless. Not only does the Center offer safe, clean shelter and an evening meal for up to 475 men, women and children each night, but it provides substance abuse treatment, medical and psychiatric care, adult rehabilitation, a transitional living facility for clients who qualify, and a beautiful interdenominational Chapel.

I told Margie the story.  She thought that Austin Street could use the food, and she would make a call to inquire.

Shortly, Margie called back to say she would take our food to Austin Street, and they could use it.  How wonderful is that?  She sounded thrilled to be taking the food, and I was thrilled it was going to be used to feed the homeless in downtown Dallas.  Thank you Lord.

We loaded up trusty Tahoe and headed to the church.

When we arrived at the church, Jimmie Guy and Lavonne were packing ice chest with baked potatoes.  Once a month, a group from FBC Richardson takes baked potatoes and all the fixin’s for 400+ people at Austin Street.  When asked how FBC Richardson is able to do this, Margie says we have an angel in our kitchen named Emmie.  Emmie even comes on her days off to bake all these potatoes for Austin Street.

This is a small portion of the potatoes that went to Austin Street.

Margie told me about the first time she visited Austin Street was thirteen years ago.  She went with Kenneth Gibson our former Associate Pastor whom I dearly loved.  As they arrived in the parking lot at Austin Street, Kenneth said, “Oh, how I love this place.”  (Love it!)  At that time, Austin Street had no air-conditioning, and the homeless had to sleep on mats on the floor.  Kenneth would walk among the homeless and visit with them.  Margie said he was a hero to them.

While others were packing potatoes, we moved the food to Margie’s car, and Margie then headed down to Deep Ellum to Austin Street.  Yes, Austin Street is in DOWNTOWN Dallas where the homeless live.

Lavonne sent me pictures she took with her phone.

This is the text I received from Lavonne.  “Blessings from Austin St.  They had no food for lunch tomorrow and were so grateful that God provided via your class.  Thank you, Lavonne.”  How humbling.  (I mentioned to Margie that the refrigerator looked over full.  She said most of it is bread and rolls that are donated.)

Love the smiles on their faces.

They do seem pleased.

FBC Richardson partners with St. Luke’s Episcopal to prepare this meal.  The Boy Scouts are from St. Luke’s.  They provide sandwiches and a banana and we bring the potatoes.  From what I hear, this meal is a favorite.  Most nights the homeless do not get a hot meal.  We have no idea.

Now Austin Street has air-conditioning and cots, but it is still a sparse existence.

You have heard the saying, “When the Lord closes a door, he opens a window.”  In my heart, I prayed that this food would minister to those who needed it.  Tomorrow they have lunch at Austin Street.

Blessings to you and yours,

Yes, I do wonder why the Well and Cliff Temple had to cancel their meal and service.  But, at the same time, I do feel God was exalted today.

1 Corinthians 13:12

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.