“In all God’s promises the Lord keeps faith, God is unchanging in all God’s works; the Lord supports all who stumble and raises all who are bowed down.   . . .  All raise their eyes to You in hope, and you give them their food when it is due. ” Psalm 145:14-15

Unlike God, who cares deeply about each of us, our government is currently withholding SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits from the neediest of our people . . . Allowing this essential benefit to become a political football, hoping to coerce the other side to give in.

Previous Congresses would be appalled by the actions of this one. But for now, a faithful response is to fill in the gaps, no matter how they are created. Food shelves are begging for extra help this November, as they respond to new job losses, federal workers not being paid, and SNAP benefits cut in half.

In the midst of difficult times, God keeps faith . . . Working in the hearts of God’s people for acts of generosity, acts of compassion, and acts of care.

On Halloween night, my daughter’s video doorbell, captured a moment of unexpected generosity. While she was out with her youngest son, she’d left a bowl of candy on her doorstep. Checking in to see how the candy supply was holding up, she was surprised it was gone and wondered why. And then she saw it on the video. Three teen boys had come to her house, where one boy dumped the entire bowl of candy into his bag, then tossed the bowl on the ground. Another of the teens, turned to a younger boy that had come up behind them, and with an evil laugh said,  “They took all the candy.” But then, the unexpected happened, as the younger boy scowled at the departing teens, he picked up the candy bowl  they had thrown. Placed it back on the doorstep where it had been, then took a handful of his own candy and placed it in the bowl, leaving some for the next child that came that way.

Today they are those in Washington laughing at the pain of SNAP beneficiaries, and what it is doing to those who believe in the program. But God, who is gracious, sees beyond their tainted views and twisted laughter, while calling on each of us to respond with generosity in a moment of need. Not because we like or agree with  what is happening today, but so God’s children may be fed.