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A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.
-Ecclesiastes 3: 4
The wisdom of this passage was personified on Saturday night at CanCare Atlanta's Fiesta of Hope. Everyone in attendance has been touched by cancer, or will be, in their lifetime. Our CanCare Atlanta volunteers are living testimonials to the wisdom that there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. At our Fiesta of Hope, however, the time was to laugh and dance!
Another type of wisdom made itself known that night that had a profound impact on me. Perhaps you have heard the wise quote of Aesop-"You are known by the company you keep." The book of Proverbs puts it this way-
Become wise by walking with the wise...-Proverbs 13:20
How this came to be was in a series of conversations I had with Brooke Homan and her mother, who are owner/ operators of Mavericks Cantina. As we "debriefed" the events of a full day and evening, both Brooke and her mother, independently shared how friendly, kind, and gracious the people in attendance were to their staff. Both stated that our group, mainly CanCare volunteers and JCPC members, were unlike any other that has been served by their staff. I was told that there was no complaining and that the staff was appreciated and felt energized even though most had worked over 12 hours!
"I think it's because you are Christians," each said to me. I think they are correct, but I think it runs deeper. I believe you can be a Christian, I would imagine many of their patrons are, and behave in less than a wise fashion. Our company, the company we keep, however; has grown in character through the faithful balance of weeping, laughing, mourning, and dancing. When you realize how precious life truly is and that means not only your life but all life, then appreciation, kindness, and love are all part of walking with the wise.
I thanked Brooke and her mother for their kind words. As I reflected on their gracious blessing I found myself thinking that when you are have the opportunity to spend time with member of JCPC and CanCare Atlanta volunteers you are in good company!
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