This past Sunday we “blessed the backpacks” of students who are going back to school. We had 4 jillion backpacks on the platform and it was a great part of our service.
One 7th grader sat behind me during the service. His mom had dropped him off and left. I saw him bring in his backpack. It was beat up, worn out and you could tell his family was not in a position to spend $30 to $40 on a new one.
As our student pastor taught these kids, all I could do was stare at this well used, dirty and out-of-shape backpack that was right in front of me on the platform. I know God doesn’t shame us but I felt like Peter after he denied Jesus the third time.
John the Baptist told us, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise” (Luke 3:11). Does this precept apply to those who can’t afford a new backpack? I’m asking for a friend.
I like the story about the guy throwing starfish back into the sea that had washed up on the shore overnight. Another man came along and told him he was crazy, that there were too many starfish and that this guy’s effort wouldn’t matter.
As he picked up another starfish and threw it back into the water he replied, “It matters to this one.”
My bleeding heart can’t fix everything but I can fix this. I’ll be on the L.L. Bean websiste fixing the world, one backpack at a time. He told me to tell you that.
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