Tiny Hands

Tiny hands reaching up to loving arms, brown eyes sparkling...wide grin dancing in chubby cheeks ...small fist clutching a cookie. Mother...running to safety...not to a stable, but a beaten down car. It's not shelter, but for now it's dry and out of the rain. Waiting lists for affordable housing, no room at the Inn. Bronchitis brewing, weary red eyes, tears flowing...help me please! "My baby is sick, we have nowhere to go, I'm scared...help me please."

Motel room paid for, diapers purchased, warm sleeping bags given, wiping tears away, arms holding, love extended, an encouraging word shared with an apartment manager and prayers...prayers for a mother seeking safety for a small child in need of a home. Prayers the apartment manager will show compassion...take a risk...accept this mother and child.

Christ seeking, Christ giving, Christ...received. That's a summary of Grace in Action's mission.

Today the child reaches up...coughs...smears cookie on adopted grandma's shoulder, sits and laughs in a volunteer's lap. Warm knit hat snuggled over small ears...hope coming alive, for a home, a place of safety.

No Joseph, no wise men, no census...Yet, like Mary, this mother was running anyway. Only this mother was leaving a domestic violence situation. This mother was not in Bethlehem, but Davis . Yet she too, was seeking love and mercy.

Small child, tucked in her arms entering the Grace House. "Come in, come in from the cold. Yes, it's crowded today, but we still have food and it's warm. How's your cold? How is the baby? Do you need an extra blanket? Yes, you can have extra bottled water for the baby's formula. We have some lights for your Christmas tree when you get your apartment. Do you want them now? The baby would like them. Baby smiles, reaches with curious fingers outstretched. Look...they are Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too! Baby smiles. Smears cookie on Cindy's sweater.

Laughing, holding, loving, encouraging, welcoming and honoring the Christ child...in the weary, the sick, the burdened ...age one, or fifty-two. No matter...they are all loved. Grace in Action and Davis Community Church...offering the "Grace House"...a home away from homelessness.

The Christmas tree is up. We will be decorating tomorrow after we thank God for churches united in welcoming the Christ child...age one...or fifty-two. There's always room at the Grace House for love, compassion and care. We will be open on Christmas Day from 11:00 - 3:00 Gathered as one family built of friends and volunteers in the only home they know. Blessing the Christ child together in a special way!

We want and need your help and partnership in God's ministry to those most in need. Contact Volunteer@Grace-in-Action.org for more information. The next Volunteer training will be held on January 9 th at 7:00 p.m. at the Grace House...or call 792-1053. You may also contact us online at www.Grace-in-Action.org Volunteers are needed for our Board of Directors, Direct Service at the Grace House, Resource Seeking and behind the scenes tasks and errand running...we need all sorts of volunteers.

Help us welcome home the Christ child...ages one...or fifty two...who lives and walks among us...every day, on the streets of Davis.

Peace, Cindy