The cool crisp air gently caresses my cheek as the sound of familiar English words in the form of Irish accents, comforts me. 4 leaf laughter is music to my ears as the sound of frosty mugs click against each other for a cheers forming the beat. This is Coleraine. This is is Northern Ireland and I am in the Irish Pub. I close my eyes and in that moment it is as if I am in a time capsule. Falling in circles, the twists and turns of time pull me in. Before I even have time to open my eyes, my cheek is quickly warmed by the same sun. Telagu words from a people whose foreheads are embellished with dots flow freely as barefooted children surround me. Little carmel colored hands cling to me as they reach for the foreign touch that I have to offer. This is Choppakatla Palem. This is India and I am in an Indian Orphanage.
Two different countries. Two different worlds.
Same people.
You see, what I am about to tell you is straight from the bible. It is not the words of with which I simply write but of that I know.
We must ALL strive to be the children of God.
It is written:
"We should be called children of God. And that is what we are! Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is."
As believers, as true followers of Christ, as people who should continuously have a longing to be closer to Jesus; we are labeled as and even better, called to be his children. If you have made the decision to hand your life over to something greater than yourself, if you have enabled your heart to open up to the light that this world cannot offer, then you are his child now. I am his child now. So what is the purpose behind this? The point is, as children of God, we are called to live a life like Christ. Each day we should become a little more like Jesus. We should love each other not with words but with actions and in truth; we should love God and we should love each other. We should give love away to anyone who crosses our path, not because we have it to give but because in giving it, we will have even more to give.
I remember the first time I stepped into Johnston's Pub. I remember the day that I leaned across the bar and fearfully asked if I could simply help out. I remember the joy-filled days that I spent with Clare and the other amazing people that formed that environment. I remember the love that I somehow managed to give and looking back now, known undoubtedly that it was received. I can't really express the love I have for Johnston's Pub. I can't put into words how awed I was at their generosity. All I know is that I saw God in that place more than I had seen him in any other place that I had been to before. I have walked into places like that many times prior but this was the first time when my thirst was truly quenched. Surprisingly it didn't stop there. You see, I saw God between four walls in and through the faces of those who were searching for someone who would listen to their words without holding it against them. I saw God in a place where many Christians do not go but even more so, where they would judge you if you did. I saw Jesus sitting at the bar comforting the widowed man who was weakened with age and heartache. I saw Jesus behind the bar listening to the stories of the people with a strong drink in their hands. I saw Jesus with one arm over the shoulder of the woman serving the drinks. I could almost hear him telling her how beautiful she was, how proud of her he was, and that it was time for her to give in to his embrace. I am pretty sure some of the people in Johnston's felt it as well.
Does it end there? If it did, it wouldn't be God's style because let's face it, the way that God works is like the infinity domino effect. For some reason, Johnston's Pub decided to give even more than they already had. They blessed a girl they met two weeks prior. They gave a donation; a donation that was not necessary. They gave not knowing where or how or in what way that money would be used.
Today, I stand back looking at the 12 young girls of Choppakatla Palem Orphanage. I watch as their colorful new dresses shine and sparkle as their bare feet tap against the dusty Indian dirt. Hands stretched out as they circle freely around each other, smiles stretched across their faces. The sound of the fresh fabric presses against me as I am being embraced by grateful Indian girls, girls that tell me they can never repay me and in that, I think about Johnston's Pub and feel the same way. I don't think I could ever repay that of which was given to me.
This isn't just some material object.
This isn't just another dress.
This isn't just an outfit that will soon get old.
This is the result of true generosity.
This is the result of Johnston's Pub.
This is the result of the infinity domino affect.
This is the way that God works.
So…as you can see. Jesus was and is in that small pub in Northern Ireland. He is there just as he is in that orphanage in Southern India. He loves me in the same way that he loves the owner of that pub and the orphans in that small village. He calls us to be his children. He desires for us to seek him, to find him, to know him, and to grow in him. He loves each of us more than we could ever fathom. He calls us to live a life worthy of our calling. He calls us to go into the places that others might judge if we do. He calls us to give generously. He calls us to love him and he commands that we love each other. If an Irish Pub can clothe orphan girls in India, what can you do?
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." – Matthew 25:35
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