There is a beautiful children’s book called The Shaking Bag, which tells the story of an old woman who lives in her run-down house with only her dog, Effie Lucille. Miss Annie Mae never lets the birds in her yard go hungry, even if it means giving up her last crust of bread. One day, five ravens arrive and receive the last few seeds from her feeding bag.
Later that same day, a young traveler named Raven Reed shows up at her home seeking food and shelter. Being the unselfish woman that she is, she offers him the last of her food.
Suddenly, he pulls out a feed bag from his belongings. He hands the bag to her and says, "Shake it up! Shake it up! All around!" With this chant in her ears, she repeats it as she shakes the bag. Suddenly, from the bag appears firewood, food, a bigger table, and two extra chairs. The next morning, he leaves the bag and tells her that if she ever finds herself without food, to shake the bag and she'll never be hungry again.
This Sunday we will talk about giving. What Disciples Do - Disciples Practice Generosity. I hope you can join us as we learn to live as the woman with The Shaking Bag did – giving our all – knowing that God will provide all we need.
Pastor Jane