Last week my wife, Barb, observed a classroom of young children with various learning challenges. One by one the children approached her, greeting her with curiosity and warmth.
A small boy, who has been a student in Barb’s art class, asked her why she was there. Satisfied with her response, he said “Mrs. Baldwin, pull up a chair” and promptly did just that for Barb.

The actions of this little boy give us a glimpse into God’s heart, the One who so generously invites us to “pull up a chair” and join the other beautiful, disabled people in His care. Following this boys’ lead, I invite you to “pull up a chair” and observe what our creative, loving Teacher is doing among our community:

• At the very outset of our last “Men’s Night,” a young man smashed his hand in a car door. A doctor friend immediately recommended that Shawn take the young man to the emergency room. But with Shawn away, who would lead “Men’s Night?” Our Hispanic MD brother and an African refugee teacher, of course! They humbly embodied RoN’s mission, “mentoring others for new life,” as they treated the younger men to McDonalds and an action video afterwards.

• Every Wednesday evening, we enjoy a community meal and time of reflection on the book of Ruth. Who is the story’s protagonist? Naomi? Boaz? Ruth clearly gets Boaz, Naomi, and the villagers’ vote. The pagan foreigner who takes “refuge under the Lord’s wings” leads the local “citizens” into a deeper love for God and the widows among them. We have a number of Latina “Ruths” in our midst who have befriended our Iraqi, African, and American visitors week after week with great sensitivity.

• This week at Refuge of Nations, the Westminster Christian Academy Improv Group performed “Ruth,” including a fiesta and dancing in honor of Ruth and Boaz’ marriage. We all laughed so hard that our stomachs hurt- and saw that laughter is indeed good medicine when it takes the realities of life head on. I thanked God for “pulling up a chair” for me so that I could savor the gifts of the actors and the delight of our community members, especially the joy of a young boy with Down Syndrome.

This Easter season, we invite you to “pull up a chair,” observe Christ’s good work on our behalf upon the grandest, ugliest stage, and experience deep joy in Him- accompanied by peals of laughter.