“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:15-17 (NIV))

In retirement, I’ve asked God for clear direction on where I need to be spending my time. I don’t want to just grasp at activities to fill up time or share my friends’ ministries because it is fun to do things with people I like. I want to serve God in the way He wants.

I’ve not thought much about hunger, mostly because I’ve never been hungry. Although not wealthy, my family always had a place to live and food on the table. I’d heard of people in poor countries who didn’t have enough food, but that seemed like a long way away, and such a big problem that there wasn’t really anything I could do about it.

All that changed a few weeks ago when I read the NYT article (September 6, 2020): America at Hunger’s Edge. With prose and photos, I learned that food insecurity is a “close-to-home” issue. Dorothea Lange documented the homeless and hungry in her 1936 “Migrant Mother” photo that we had at the Frist Art Museum in 2019.

As I was startled by the photos, I started meditating on the meaning, to me. I realized that in my six trips to do mission work in South Africa, I had always volunteered to cook in the kitchen to help feed the children after school. And I’ve enjoyed entertaining with friends where food, wine and good conversation are the focus.

I was compelled to write a letter to the NYT that was published in yesterday’s NYT Magazine. The story had moved me to action and I followed through.

I contacted the Bellevue Community Food Bank to ask what I could do to help.  They serve five zip codes in Middle Tennessee including my own (37221-Bellevue, 37209-West Nashville, 37143- Pegram, 37062-Fairview and 37205-Belle Meade). Last year they had 25-30 families a week that came for assistance; this year since the pandemic it is 60.

I start Tuesday. It’s a small role, but furthering the kingdom takes many hands.

Blessings to all who have found their purpose, and to those who are still searching.

With my love,
Agatha