Luke 1:47-55: “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.”

I had a dream.  I dreamt that it was raining, I dreamt that I saw a man, woman, and child who looked very dirty and ragged, huddling under the rabbit cages in my yard.  But, I didn’t invite them in my house; I thought they would dirty it up.  Instead, I got in my car, rolled up the window and drove away.

When I woke up I realized that the man, woman, and child represented Joseph, Mary and Jesus – and that they represented all the hungry people in the world.  I felt guilty for ignoring Joseph, Mary and Jesus in my dream and for ignoring all the hungry people in the world (I had recently learned that there were 800 million of them.) 

I felt terrible. I didn’t think I could eat another meal.  I called my pastor and told him about my dream and my feelings.  He had an answer for my anguish.  He said, “Remember your dream but find joy in helping those who are hungry.”

That happened 30 years ago.  I have found joy in helping those who are hungry!  Are you part of God’s plan to “fill the hungry with good things?”  Can you find joy in helping those who are hungry?