The Season to Care

For everything that happens in life— there is a season, a right time for everything under heaven: A time to scatter stones, a time to pile them up; a time for a warm embrace, a time for keeping your distance…

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5 Voice

There is a season for everything in life. And now more than ever, this is the Season to Care!

We have all experienced months of social distancing or extended periods of not visiting or being with those we care for in-person. That is why we believe that God is calling us to choose a “warm embrace” and care for others, rather than keeping our distance from them. This is especially true when it comes to embracing and meeting the spiritual, relational, and physical needs of those around us during this holiday season.

Amy and I are deeply moved and inspired by the example of the families, couples, and single professionals in San Francisco who have taken personal initiative to care for so many in our community!

These compassionate and selfless souls decided to kick off the “Season to Care” on the week of Veterans Day. Together they partnered with the Veterans Village in Colma (just ten minutes south of San Francisco), where formerly homeless military veterans and those with disabilities are provided housing and support. Erik and Heather Nelson spearheaded this effort and asked other married and single professionals from San Francisco to join. As a group, they provided hundreds of essential goods and assembled individualized care packages for the veterans—and they told us they had a lot of fun building relationships with each other as they did it.

Kids also joined in the fun by making personal cards to thank veterans for their service, and then decorated the Veterans Village center for a festive day.

This crew of people not only impacted each veteran but also showed us that the heart to care is contagious. All we have to do is put our care into action, just as the Scriptures teach:

Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God’s love is not living in that person. My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring.

1 John 3:17-18 NC

Putting Care Into Action

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 2:15-16 NIV

This next story is another inspiring example of compassion in action. Rod and Kathy Lisam recently learned of community families in crisis needing support. Despite the fact that Kathy was navigating her own serious health condition, she and Rod couldn’t help but respond.

After making us aware of this need, the San Francisco families ministry partnered together with the Edgewood Kinship Support Network to “Adopt-a-Family.” This organization helps local families who are undergoing crisis, abuse, severe illness, incarceration, or violence separating children from parents.

The San Francisco ministry “adopted” nine local families through Edgewood. Just two weeks ago, they worked together to collect and supply over $4,500 in goods, gift cards, and essentials tailored to each family’s specific needs!

Edgewood was amazed by the overwhelming response from those who generously donated all these goods. For Edgewood and these nine “adopted” families in need or crisis, this season has truly become an unprecedented one as they experience the impact of many who chose to make this holiday season a Season to Care!

If you would like to get more connected and involved in the Season to Care, then please contact us to discover all the opportunities available to put your care into action!