I have nothing to offer – no money, no resources – just myself.

“I have nothing to offer – no money, no resources – just myself.”

The humble words of Joyce Wanjiru, a soon to be mother of eight, brings me to my knees in gratitude this morning.  Joyce, along with Esther and Elizabeth just finished a two-month intensive residential training program in preparation to be our first moms at the Nazareth Joy Home.  When I ask, this morning, why she wants to take on this special role, this mother of two now-grown children says,

“It is a calling. My children are blessed to have their mother.  Now the children God has chosen for me at this time in my life will receive the same blessing.”

Her voice softening, she continues, “I see the many needs of the world and realize, I have nothing to offer – no money, no resources – just myself.” Her head bows and my heart senses the overwhelming presence of Christ’s Spirit in her humility.  Only myself…

One of my standard Bible lines is “the parents have eaten sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”  Since the beginning of our history we have lived with the good and bad of prior generations – the saints that bless and the ghosts that haunt.  The truth though is that I usually cheat these passages in my application. Yes, both Jeremiah and Ezekiel have this powerful image of sour taste and tinged-teeth but neither in their hope leaves the despair I often allow. Instead, both proclaim, “In those days it shall no longer be said, the parents have eaten sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”  No longer…

This morning, I live into the presence of “no longer,” as I sit with three humble women, who have agreed to take the monumental task of forming an immediate family of eight children each, ages birth to twelve, most of them HIV+, all of them victims of abandonment and abuse, each with the smell of sour grapes on her breath, the pain of loneliness that cuts into his teeth.  An echo reverberates throughout my soul.   No longer…

No longer will these children of God carry with them the taste of bitterness, for now they will nurse on the spiritual milk of a mom who loves them and calls them her own.

All because she has nothing to offer – no resources, no money – only herself.

……………………………………….

Eleven of our thirteen pilgrims are safe and sound. Kristine and Ruthie Rand are set to arrive tonight. Spirits are high. Shoes are off.  Tomorrow is a busy day for all. We covet your prayers.

by Jim Wood, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Virginia.