Lesson From a Small Town

Here is it, the long-awaited, much belated update from our new hometown of Arlington, Texas.  The move from Lubbock couldn’t have been easier!  Some folks from The Journey in Lubbock helped us load in our junk (which filled the UHAUL we got that was “3 feet too long”).  My parents and parent-in-laws made the trek with us.  Parke, Gary, and Mike from Mosaic, Arlington helped us unload at our new apartment.  My wife and I enjoy our new apartment, we’re fascinated by Arlington, and we love our new community of faith.  Although we miss our friends and family in the panhandle, the future in our new hometown excites us. 

However, neither Arlington nor Lubbock are the “small town” referenced in today’s title.  This past weekend my wife and I flew to my original hometown of Dumas for a family reunion.  While there my dad dragged me to the weekly Lion’s Club meeting.  I’m not sure how much you know about this group (if at all); you can check out their website here.  The members of the group give monthly dues and do yearly fundraising efforts to serve people through various programs.  An eye glasses recycling program helps impoverished kids, along with a cornea transplant service that also lends vision to selected individuals.  The men help run a summer camp for disabled children.  Along with weekly lunch meetings, the men (and some women) know, help, and care for each other.  This seems to be a less cultish version of the Masons and other social groups. 

As my dad explained some of the Lions’ community involvment, it began to sound much like the Church’s role in our culture.  A diverse blend of people from all walks of life band together to help the less fortunate, create a community of belonging, help crippled children swim for the first time, even give sight to the blind.  As I sat in the lunch meeting, I saw many men and women who aren’t involved in any community of faith.  So I asked my dad, “What does Lion’s Club offer that the local church doesn’t?”  He replied, “It’s fun.” 

As many churches continue to major on the minors and let the needy stray to the wayside, the Lions Club continues to empower good-hearted men and women to positively impact their world and have fun doing it.