Dear Church Family,
A grieving widow. A freshly baked pie. And a mom who decided to cross the street.
Driving home from school drop-off this week, Chuck Swindoll’s voice caught me on the radio. He was telling a story about his neighbor — a woman devastated by the loss of her spouse — and how his mother did the simplest thing: she baked a pie and walked it across the street.
That pie opened a door. The door opened a conversation. The conversation, over time, opened a life to Jesus.
The neighbor was so transformed that she eventually became what Chuck laughingly called the only “cemetery evangelist” he’d ever met. Whenever everyone else had left the graveside, she would stay behind, find the widow, and invite her to know Jesus. She had sat in that same darkness. She knew the way to the light.
I don’t know what’s happening inside the homes nearest yours right now. But I’d guess it’s more than you can see from the street.
- Grief.
- A marriage that’s fraying.
- A diagnosis that hasn’t been shared with anyone yet.
- A loneliness that looks fine from the outside.
Our neighbors don’t need us to have all the answers. They need someone to cross the street.
As we move toward Easter — Palm Sunday, Good Friday, the empty tomb — I want to invite you to do something simple this week. Think of one person who lives near you. Pray for them by name. Ask God to show you what they’re carrying. And if he nudges you to bake something, write a note, or simply show up — trust that nudge. He who commands us to “be strong and courageous” promises to be with us wherever we go.
The resurrection means death doesn’t get the last word. Not in the cemetery. Not on your street. We carry that news. Let’s bring it with us when we go.
Jesus is risen. The tomb is empty. Our neighbors are waiting.
God goes before us!
–Pastor Jonas
PS. We praise God for 5 incredible years of Ruby’s Pantry in Fargo — and we’re sad to share that due to restructuring, the Fargo location will not reopen. Join me in praying for Ruby’s Pantry as they make difficult decisions and pray with us as we ask the Lord for direction on what’s next in serving our neighbors well.