Working Together, With the Spirit
The following is an excerpt from a longer story that details how Barnabas Community, Sheridan Lutheran Church, and the Sheridan Foundation came to provide three beds to a family who needed them. This story is an example of how great things happen when we work together with the Spirit guiding us.
Sheridan Lutheran Church, Sheridan Foundation, Barnabas Community and Social Media: Working Together with the Spirit
Written by firsthand account: Pastor Rhonda Bostrom
Names have been changed to protect identity.
We were busy registering children for Angel Tree 2020. It’s always a humbling experience knowing how helpful this ministry is to the families of Barnabas Community and Prison Fellowship. Let’s be honest, the holidays are great, but they can be expensive, often creating financial strain on parents as they seek to provide a special occasion for their children.
Phoebe was one of the last moms to be in line to register her children for Angel Tree gifts at Barnabas Community. Her cousin, in line before her, was having a difficult time registering her children because of a language barrier. Phoebe kindly stepped in to help translate.
Once finished registering her cousin, we started to register Phoebe’s children for the waiting list. Through the course of registration, Phoebe opened up about how times had been quite difficult for them recently. Phoebe is a single mother with children ages 17, 15, 13 and 10. Her household was busy, and her income fixed. There was enough money for rent, car, insurance, wifi, food – just the basics – but nothing else.
This financial reality caused a lot of strain on her and her children. They needed things and opportunities – and everything cost money. Money they don’t have. They were stuck and because of it they fought a lot as family. I could hear the fabric of this family being torn apart by limited income as I listened to Phoebe tell stories. I empathized with her as a parent of teenagers myself. Raising kids is busy, and expensive.
Phoebe listed basic things her children needed, including personal hygiene items, and clothing for winter. She then paused in her speaking. “Is it too much to ask for beds?” I replied, “What do you mean, ask for beds?” Phoebe answered, “My three youngest children have no proper beds. They sleep on the floor.”
My own mothering ears wanted to make clear what I’d heard. Phoebe said her children were sleeping on the floor – children – in this cold fall weather, with many months of cold winter weather in front of us. My brain started running analytics. Beds are way too much money for Angel Tree. Beds are just expensive regardless. But, winter is setting in, the children have to be cold and uncomfortable without good materials to keep them warm. Privately, I made a mental note to make sure we at least sponsored this family for Angel Tree.
I found myself boldly saying, “Phoebe, let me do some thinking and praying about this, specifically the matter of the beds. Can I call you?”
“Oh yes, that’s fine.” She replied.
We finished up her registration. When I went home, I shared my experience with my husband, Pastor Eric. I actually dreamed about Phoebe and her children that night, as I drifted in and out of sleep. I woke the next day, sipping coffee, and asking God for guidance. As so often happens when we reach out beyond ourselves, we discover how differently we live from our neighbors, even though we live in the same city. As I reflected, I just couldn’t let go. A spiritual practice I learned years ago started to kick in. I heard God say something like this, “Rhonda, stop thinking and obsessing about this. Do something, and don’t give up until the work is complete.”
Doing something meant I started reaching out and sharing the story. Dwight Thiemann, Barnabas Community Executive Director, and Alec Champagne, Community Life Coordinator at Barnabas, helped me learn more about Phoebe. Pastor Greg mentioned the Sheridan Foundation as a possible financial source to help fund the mattresses and frames. I considered how we could use social media to partner with this family as well.
I called Phoebe to see if I could come to visit. She agreed.
When I visited her home, I indeed confirmed that her living space was as she shared. They rented a nice townhouse, had enough food, all the basic essentials. But as Phoebe shared, the three youngest children had no proper beds, or bedding. After the home tour, her daughter had prepared a table of food for us to share. They so generously shared what they had. It was beautiful – tea, fruit, bread, crackers, decorative glass cups and plates. We sat together (socially distanced of course!), broke bread and simply talked. We learned each other’s stories, even having moments of laughter felt down to the toes!
After this visit, the Spirit really started moving to combine resources for this family. Sheridan Foundation and Sheridan Mission Offerings came through for funding the mattresses and frames. In less than 48 hours, Sheridan Outreach Facebook Group members volunteered to pick up sheets, bedding, and other items the children needed to complete their beds and bath needs. The children were sponsored for Angel Tree.
Within a couple of weeks, Phoebe and her children had sufficient mattresses, frames and bedding. All of us in the process made a few more friends and connections. Phoebe and I shared a phone call recently where her cousin, who needed help with translation during Angel Tree, is so excited for Phoebe’s children and their new beds. God provided through a network of people in our congregation’s various ministries and Barnabas Community. Reflecting on this story, it brings to mind the words of the beautiful Christmas hymn Silent Night, “Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.”