Every good group needs a raging Cajun, the one who doesn’t hold back, who will say it like it is, who will laugh from the depths of who they are, make pans of bread pudding, support the smallest endeavors, and remind us life should be a big Jesus party.
So what that Sandy Burke lives in Louisiana. She’s a better together of Grace Klein Community. Her laugh, shhh, if you close your eyes and listen hard, you may can hear it. Her laugh is from a deep place of hope driven by perseverance and trust in the One that reminded us, ‘Hey, this life will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.’ Life hasn’t been easy for Sandy so maybe you would wonder why she can live a party. The hard days bring endurance and the easy days are candy because Sandy knows the One that is the great Comforter, the true Friend, and the great Grace giver. She dances in His forgiveness, testifies to His loving kindness and waits patiently for the goodness she expects to see in the land of the living.
With His love, she sends boxes of clothing and toiletry items and gift bags. Mums the word, she wouldn’t want you to know, but the stacks of paper ream boxes, filled with happiness, may be from her place. She is a frequent shopper at our BeMoreRandom etsy store and the one supporting missions around the world. You may meet her at a community night or a random day that she “just so happens” to stop by the office. She may be an attendee at a ladies night, the call in when a radio show is interviewing volunteers of Grace Klein Community, or the encouraging card that shows up at the office when you least expect it.
Sometimes the reason we are better together is because we work in secret, living out what’s mine is yours, and scattering that love around the world. Maybe you saw the bins that headed to Guatemala and didn’t know who filled them, or the lotion that your family distributed at the nursing home when you went caroling last year, or the auction item that was bided on that helped provide the meat in that food box you delivered. We are better together when we realize that it takes all of us to share the hope of Jesus.
And that’s why we need Sandy Burke in our community. She is reminding us to shout a toast to our King and watch the drinks overflow, our blessings so great, they come overflowing into our laps. And she’s our reminder to never think of anyone as a stranger. Go talk someone’s ears off because you value them and want to include them. Give hugs, the kinds that engulf and almost swallow someone, because some people haven’t been touched in weeks and they need to know they are worth touching. Over the top cook and share it like crazy. Your abundance may be meeting someone’s lack or giving them a day to breath, rest and cherish time with Jesus. Throw a party, maybe call it ‘Sharing for Sandy.’ Invite the ones you wouldn’t think to invite. Laugh loud. Be boisterous. Show the world Jesus is fun. Sandy may show up… if she’s in town.