Jen pulled up to the curb and checked the address. Yes. This was the place. She turned to Sue. “Let’s unload.”

            Sue and Jen exited the van and pulled out the coolers. They set up a folding table at the side of the yard, stacked it with trays of sandwiches and chips, and rolled the cooler with drinks next to it. “Let’s go find Don and let him know lunch is here.” Jen glanced at her watch. “We have three more stops to make, so we’d better be quick.”

           Sue nodded and pointed to the side of the house. “There’s Don. I’ll let him know.”

           Jen moved back toward the car, but before she did so, noticed Mrs. Douglass on the porch. She glanced at her, then over at the group of teens working alongside Don. Her heart sank. This would be an uncomfortable day. At least she and Sue didn’t have to stay. Their volunteer duties consisted of making and delivering lunches for the crews. Jen waved to Mrs. Douglass and returned to the van. Sue slid in a moment later.

            “Did you know the group was working on Mrs. Douglass’ house today?”

            Sue shook her head. “No. That’s nice, though, isn’t it? Remember on the prayer chain that the tree came down on the side of her house? Look.” Sue pointed to the house, where indeed, a section was damaged. “The volunteers are replacing the window and the siding on that side of the house. They’re also cutting up the tree and hauling away the sections of it.”

            “I’m sure she’ll appreciate the help, but not the helpers.”

            “What do you mean?”

            Jen bit her lip. How could she explain? “You know the kids we have on these crews. They’re not exactly your typical volunteers.”

            Sue raised her eyebrows. “Well, that’s kind of the point, right? They need to do community service as punishment for one thing or the other. But the community service is good for them. And Don and the team leaders at the other sites are amazing mentors.”

            “Yes, I know. This is a wonderful organization, and that’s why I volunteer, even though I can’t swing a hammer.”

            “So what’s the problem?”

            Jen frowned. “Just in this group alone, there are two youth who identify as gay, one who identifies as trans, and one that is almost militantly pro-black. I’m concerned because Mrs. Douglass is quite conservative, and I’m not sure how they’ll react to one another.”

            Sue drew in a slow breath. “I see what you mean. We’ll just have to pray for them all.”

            Jen smiled at her friend. “That’s a good idea.” She bowed her head. “God, thank You for this ministry. Please bless everyone involved, and let Your will be done in their lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

            “Amen,” Sue echoed. “Now let’s get lunch over to the other sites.”
            “Sounds good.”

            Four hours later, Jen and Sue packed up the leftovers and tables from each of the other sites, finally arriving back at Mrs. Douglass’ house. Jen’s jaw dropped at the scene in front of her. Mrs. Douglass sat on the porch, surrounded by the troubled youth. Not only were they interacting with one another, the youth appeared to be listening to Mrs. Douglass with rapt attention. Jen and Sue packed up the tables and cooler and moved closer to the youth on the porch. Just as they got within earshot, Don called the youth together. “OK, gang, time to head out.”

            One by one, each of the youth hugged Mrs. Douglass, and she invited them to come back. Don nodded to Jen and Sue and herded the youth into the ministry van.

            Mrs. Douglass smiled at Jen and Sue. “What a wonderful blessing. Thank you both for your part in this tremendous ministry.”

            Sue shrugged. “We’re just in charge of lunch. The crew leaders and the youth do all the work.”

            Mrs. Douglass pointed a finger at her. “Ahh, but feeding the workers is important as well.”

            Jen had to know. “Mrs. Douglass, I noticed all the youth hugged you before leaving. It seems you really connected with them.”

            Mrs. Douglass smiled. “Of course. They just needed someone to listen.”
            “I’m just a little surprised. They’re not exactly the type of kids we have in our church youth group.”

            Mrs. Douglass frowned. “No, not yet, anyway. I think they started off by trying to shock me, but I set them straight.”

            Jen raised her eyebrows. “Oh? And how did you manage to do that?”

            Mrs. Douglass gestured to the chairs lining the porch. “Come, sit, and I’ll tell you.” She drained the last few sips of her lemonade. “This morning, God put a verse on my heart. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

             “Today, a group of children came to my house. Many of them did not share my race. Some had piercings through their face, or unnaturally colored hair. Some said they liked girls or boys, or both. A boy dressed in girls’ clothing and two girls held hands. You’re right. They didn’t look like what I was used to. But the Lord told me to look at their hearts. Their hearts were empty. What they looked like on the outside didn’t matter. So I told them the truth. None of their identities defined them. They’re not juvenile delinquents. They’re not rejects or losers. They’re God’s children. I told them there were only two identities. They were either in the kingdom of light or the kingdom of darkness.”

             Jen stared at Mrs. Douglass. “You are a wise woman, you know that?”

             Mrs. Douglass let out a harumph. “It’s not about being wise. It’s about telling the truth. I told them God loved them and had a plan for their lives. And if they wanted to be successful in life, they better figure out how to follow it. So I told them I’d pray for them, and told them to get their hands on a Bible and start reading. I’ll make sure their program has plenty of Bibles. But for now, I’ll be praying for each of those young people by name. I want to look at their hearts and see they are full.”

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

God, please help us see others the way You see them. Many people are hurting or lost, trying to fill their hearts with things that don’t satisfy. Help us, the best we can, to point others to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.