This past week has been a tough one for Grace’s Kitchen. As many of you may know, the lease on the building we have been pursuing, was retracted by the building owners due to opposition from the community. While we are not discouraged by this, we also must seek God in prayer regarding our next steps. We know that in His time He will show us His best plan for Grace’s Kitchen. Meanwhile we will continue to serve people and love them where they are.

As we have faced strong opposition, we have had to do some wrestling. It is easy to pursue a calling when the support is strong and the compliments are abundant. It gets much harder when you come face to face with the harsh reality that some people just plain hate what you are trying to do. I have lived in this reality for the past month and have had to decide whether I really and truly believe what I say I do. Do I believe that all people are created in God’s image? Do I believe that people are worth investing in, even if their lifestyle leaves much to be desired? Do I care what others think of me or do I only desire to please God? Am I wrong in feeling more at home with the people on the streets than I do in my suburban bubble? Are my motivations in check? Am I really making a difference?

One of the strongest arguments the downtown residents have against us leasing space downtown and feeding in the park is that we are enabling the population. The thought is that if we wouldn’t feed the people, they wouldn’t gather there and thus wouldn’t cause problems for the homeowners and business owners downtown. This is not a new thought. If you search the web for “feeding in parks” you find that several US cities have passed ordinances against feeding the homeless in public parks. There are a number of published articles offering the same arguments we have heard repeatedly. I have mulled this over and what I keep coming back to is that fact that street people were there before Grace’s Kitchen. They are in every major US city, almost exclusively in urban areas. I am sure someone who studies social behaviors could give you a better reason than I could as to why this is the case. But it is, in fact, the case. And when a citizen chooses to move their home or residence into an urban area, they should do so with the understanding of the challenges that brings. The homeless population that refuses to go to an existing shelter is the very population that GK wants to reach out to. Our desire is to see their lives transformed completely by the One who can bring about true and lasting change.

Several years ago I felt a strong calling into ministry. Shortly after that time, I had my third child, and also felt led to resign from a part-time position at my church. I struggled with understanding what that calling meant in light of my circumstances. But I knew that God had called me to minister in the city of Birmingham somehow and some way. And for whatever reason, I am comfortable in the inner city. I do not ever feel frightened or nervous. I have certainly experienced things I would rather not deal with or see, but that is the case with any ministry. God called me here so I know He will equip me to handle whatever comes my way. Another accusation we face is that we are just trying to make our “suburban selves” feel better by putting a bandaid on poverty and homelessness, meanwhile not affecting any real change. I think there is a lot of validity in this argument and I confess that at times, if I am truly honest, that has been true in my life. But God is teaching me. He is stretching me to go outside my comfort zone. He is opening my eyes to the fact that His people are ALL people. That includes the people of Hoover, AL, the people of downtown Birmingham, and the people of third world countries. He has nagged at me until I am obedient about sharing my faith with those in my daily path- whether it be a friend who lives in an affluent suburb or a murderer to whom I am serving a hot meal.

As I process these and many other questions, the message of the gospel rings clear to me. The “whosoever” of John 3:16 comes to mind. I have said it over and over and will say it again. Grace’s Kitchen is not just about food. It is about the gospel. It is about being the hands and feet of Christ to a dying world, wherever they might be located. And the fact is, the gospel is offensive to many people. And when I share the gospel, I have to remember that not everybody will like me because of it. In fact, they will hate me. One man in opposition told me that he had contempt for me and for what I was trying to do. I really don’t want that man to feel that way about me. I want to be gracious, show him kindness and love and have him understand how I feel. But the Bible clearly tells us that we WILL be hated by the world. And I have to look it as a blessing that God allows me to share in His sufferings. If this is where He has me for now, then I will take the mocking and scoffing.

Please continue to pray for Grace’s Kitchen. Please pray for wisdom and discernment and for daily obedience as we minister. We are far from perfect and truly need daily covering as we proceed. We also know that we are learning and that we will make mistakes. The Lord has been gracious to give us many wise advisors and prayer warriors and we are thankful that Grace’s Kitchen does not depend on our sinful humanness but on God alone! SDG!