Two Arms for Jesus
Jesse looked up when the visitor came into his classroom. Mr. Jones, his teacher, had said that someone from the Hurricane Relief Effort would be coming today.
“Hello, my name is Jack Muri from the H.R.E.,” said the visitor. “I’m sure you’ve all heard about the hurricane that passed through last week.” Jack nodded. He looked at the paper the man passed to him. It showed a boy standing beside a pile of lumber, broken glass, and mud. Underneath the headline read: “Hurricane Leaves Hundreds Homeless.”
Jesse listened with interest as the visitor explained how the terrible hurricane winds had flattened trees and buildings and then dumped torrents of water for two days. “The flooding has destroyed many homes and businesses. Boys and girls your age have become refugees and are living in shelter camps set up by the government. Does anyone know what a refugee is?”
Jesse raised his hand. “It is someone who has to leave their home,” he said.
“Yes,” said Mr. Muri. “Does anyone know what it is like to leave everything and have to camp out because your home was destroyed?”
Jesse nodded and raised his hand again. “Last winter there was a fire in my house,” he said, remembering his smoky room and melted toys. “When we came home from town the fire department was there. They put it out pretty quick, but all our stuff was ruined. We had to live with my aunt and uncle for three months.”
“That must have been tough,” Mr. Muri said with a nod. “You know how it feels to have your things destroyed. Many refugee families don’t even have pots to cook with or pillows to sleep on. The H.R.E. is taking donations of money and basic supplies. We will be sending a truck to the refugee camp next week. Do any of your families have blankets, kitchen supplies, or tools to spare? Maybe you have an extra coat or shoes that you don’t wear? Another boy or girl would be glad to have them.”
Many of the children said they had clothes and toys that they could bring. They agreed to tell their parents about the relief effort. Jesse didn’t say anything. His family didn’t have anything extra to give away. Besides, his dad never supported things like this. But Jesse remembered how happy he had felt when their neighbors had sent some boxes of food and clothes after the fire and Grandpa Andy had sent them money. Deep down inside Jesse wanted to do something, but what could it be?
On the way home from school he thought about it. He remembered the verse his Sunday School teacher had taught him: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13) Jesus would want him to give to those that had needs, Jesse knew. But what could a poor boy do?
Suddenly he remembered what Gramma had once said. “If you have nothing else, be glad you have your health and strength.” Jesse stretched out his arms. They were thin and wiry, but he was strong. He lifted his chin and smiled. Another saying of Gramma’s was, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Jesse would find that way.
Dad frowned when Jesse came in at supper time. “What took you so long coming back from school?” he asked. “I needed your help stacking the wood Grandpa Andy dropped off.”
“I’m sorry Dad,” Jesse apologized. “A man down the street said he would pay me to wash his car. Should I help with the wood after supper?”
“No, it’s done now,” Dad said with a grunt. “What you earning money for?”
Jesse washed his hands and sat down at the table. “Our class is helping send stuff for people who lost their homes in the hurricane,” he said.
Dad didn’t say anything, but Gramma smiled.
“You won’t need me tomorrow afternoon, will you, Dad?” Jesse asked.
“I guess not. Why?”
“The man down the street has yard work for me to do.”
The next afternoon was hot and Jesse was glad for the shade of the tall trees as he began mowing the lawn by the big house. He was sweating an hour and a half later when he made the final pass and cut the engine. The grass looked even and smooth, Jesse thought. He went to find the owner.
“Okay, now you’d better weed-whack along the fence,” the man said, hardly looking at Jesse’s work. “That, and the raking, should take you the rest of the afternoon.”
Jesse had never used a weed-whacker before, but the man said it wasn’t too hard. “Just keep the blade near the ground and bop it when the string gets short. Be careful not to hit any rocks,” he said, showing Jesse how to hold the gas-powered machine. He pulled the starter and the motor roared. Jesse took hold of the handle and felt the power of the machine buzz through his tired arms and back. Carefully he moved the motor head back and forth along the fence. Grass and weeds flew everywhere.
The sun beat down and Jesse squinted to watch out for rocks. The weed-whacker shook him from head to toe, but he held on tight. Over, back, over, back. Buzzzzz! Finally the fence line was done. Jesse’s shirt stuck to his back and he felt stiff as he walked over to the shed. His arms shook and his knees felt weak when he set the weed-whacker down. The man had said that he had to rake up all the grass before his job was done. Jesse picked up the rake and dropped it again. The world seemed to spin.
Jesse sat on the ground and tried to calm the shaking in his arms. He felt weak all over. Yesterday he had been so glad for work and a chance to earn some money to send to the hurricane refugees. But how could he finish the job if he didn’t have any strength left?
“I can do all things through Christ,” he repeated to himself. “Lord Jesus, can you please strengthen me so I can rake?” Jesse prayed. The sound of voices floated in the warm air and he opened his eyes. Some of the boys in his class were walking down the street.
“Hey, Jesse!” one of them called as Jesse got to his feet. “You want to come to the river with us? It’s sure hot out today!”
Jesse felt sticky and hot all over. But he shook his head. “No, I have work to do,” he called back, slowly stretching his arms and neck. The trembling had stopped. He picked up the rake and this time his hands grasped the handle. Jesse lifted his chin and smiled.
Mr. Jones asked for donations after the first recess the next morning. “Thank you to those that brought in things for the Hurricane Relief Effort,” he told the class. “Does anyone have some money that they would like to give to help the refugees? Remember, there are boys and girls just like you who have lost everything they had. I’ll pass around this can and you can put your donations in it.”
Several of the other children slowly pulled out their money. When the can came to him, Jesse smiled. After all that hard work, the man had given him a wad of bills. How many nice things they would buy! Jesse put them all in. It was the strength that Jesus had given him, after all.
“Hey, I thought you said you didn’t have any money!” the boy next to Jesse whispered. “Did you make your dad give you some?”
“No,” Jesse said. He lifted his chin and smiled. “It was my two arms and Jesus.”