GROWING SEEDS: When Jesus Works A Church

A week after Chuck's Memorial Service, I received a call from my 90-year old Dad in Dallas.  I could tell he had something heavy on his mind and it didn't take him long to share his heart with me.

But before I tell you what he said, I must give you the back-story.  My two siblings and I were raised in a strict, conservative religious home.  Dad had been raised in this same denomination and, although considered a Christian faith, was very much a "works-based" movement.  Because of the rigorous rules this church followed, my parents chose to sell their wedding rings early on in their marriage to help build a church school so us three kids would never have to attend public school.   Their sacrifice was great...and their hearts were pure.  My Dad remains a member there today.  

Now, onto the call from Dad.  He told me how utterly impressed he was at how our church had treated the extended family during Chuck's service.  He had never been to a church that served the needs of a grieving family like First United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon did that day, and that there had been a consistent theme of compassion throughout the entire experience; from the meaningful and upbeat service to the amazing luncheon afterward.  

My father choked up as he spoke these beautiful words to me, and I could tell he had given a great deal of thought to this.  

He then said something I never thought I'd hear my father say.  "I want you to move my monthly tithe currently being sent to my home church....to YOUR church, Liz."  I thought I misunderstood what he had said, so I had him repeat it.  "I want you, Liz, to change my tithe to your church....because your church deserves my money."  I won't lie; I tried to talk him out of it.  I suggested he might make one payment to our church and then continue tithing to his own church, but he wouldn't have it.  He said, "No...do what I ask, please."  So I did.  My Dad is now tithing to our church....not his own....because we showed him what a church looks like when they are the hands and feet of Jesus.  

Our church showed Dad what Grace, out of Love, truly looks like.