"Helping and and Open Arms"

 

“Helping Hands and Open Arms”

 

Shortly after moving to New Hampshire in late 1989 I learned about an inner city ministry called Helping Hands. It was founded by Ron Gendron who soon became a close friend. It was a Bible based temporary residence for men who were seeking to change their life’s direction after being in prison or rehab. (Karen and I still keep in touch with a man who benefitted from the program.) It also sponsored a food pantry to provide periodic assistance to those in need.

In the late 1990’s Ron felt God leading him to establish a similar outreach in a city about an hour north. He discussed his vision with me and together we came up with a name, Open Arms, to convey the idea of welcoming and serving those who’d fallen on hard times. I worked closely with Ron in both of these efforts until God called him to Heaven in 2002.

Ron and I agreed that Helping Hands and Open Arms pictured the character of Jesus. The gospels mention at least nine occasions in which He showed His helping hands by touching those who needed deliverance including a leper (Mark 1:41),  woman (Matthew 8:15), and girl who had died (Mark 5:41), all of which broke rules and customs of His day. And He lovingly “…took the children in his arms….” (Mark 10:16) after His disciples tried to keep them away. In these and other cases I’d love to know “the rest of their story” after meeting and being blessed by Jesus but that’ll have to wait until Heaven.

Our Lord’s friend told his readers that “…Christ…(left) you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21). How can we emulate His helping hands and open arms? A hymn from 1904 by Carrie Breck gives some clues with phrases like “find someone in need”, giving “a kind, loving word”, sharing “burdens too heavy to bear” and encouraging those who are “discouraged and weary in heart”. Each statement is followed by the admonition “Help Somebody Today”, the song’s title. Let’s think of those who’ve shown us helping hands and open arms on our life’s journey, thank God for them and do the same for others who cross our path.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan