I had a wonderful experience yesterday at the “Back to School Bash,” put on by Hand & Harvest in Taylor, Texas. I’m past the age of doing the heavy lifting required to set up an event like this.
In past Hand & Harvest events, I was usually given a table, a chair, and a simple job: “Get folks to register here.” Registration is vital—not for boasting, but to demonstrate to grant providers how many families we serve.
Yesterday, my role was simple: Be a friendly face and point people in the right direction. I had the joy of directing families to the cafeteria for free hot dogs, dessert, and bottled water. As the event went on, those hot dogs looked increasingly appealing. Children’s eyes lit up as they pulled their parents toward the cafeteria, proving once again that “a child shall lead them.”
Later, I posted three questions on our volunteer Signal app. We live in a culture that often exchanges deep reflection for quick reactions, where watching from the sidelines becomes an excuse for inaction.
My questions were simple: Who did you see? What did you see? What does that mean to you?
As believers, learning to see clearly is essential. In Jesus’ day, marginalized groups—the sick, the lame, the blind, and those deemed “impure”—were pushed to the fringes.
Over time, people developed a narrow vision, ignoring anyone who didn’t fit in. Learning to see with empathy is critical.
We see our own impatience every day—like when we hit unexpected road construction and narrowed lanes. As a flagger stops us, we sit impatiently, wondering, “When is it my turn?”
Impatience has become a cultural habit. We are always rushing to the next urgent task, convinced we’re running out of time. But racing through our days closes our eyes to the people right in front of us.
What I saw yesterday was raw, uncensored need. And that need was met with unconditional acceptance—the very heart of Jesus.
When Jesus went out of his way to meet the woman at the well, he already knew her heart. He didn’t offer judgment; he offered revelation and grace.
Outside a court of law, judgment isn’t our calling as believers. Meeting needs is. As disciples, our primary question should always be: “What is the need?”
The “Back to School Bash” was born because someone recognized a need and built a plan to address it. Every parent approaches the new school year with mixed emotions.
Relief is near, but it comes with the heavy financial burden of buying clothes, backpacks, and supplies—often at rising costs. Mandie Chancellor and her nonprofit, Hand and Harvest, saw that burden. She cared, and she invited the community to step in.
Over 100 volunteers answered the call—barbers, vision screeners, and helpers filling a gymnasium with clothes and school supplies. There were no invasive questions or judgment—just pure generosity.
Standing in the hallway, I watched child after child proudly wearing a new backpack like a treasured gift. To them, it was. I saw parents walk away with lighter hearts and visible gratitude.
Hoping for the “there and then” is the foundation of our faith in Christ. But until we reach it, the “here and now” can be heavy.
Lifting the burdens of children and parents with a backpack and a hot dog is holy work. It is the Jesus way.
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A private practice counselor working with veterans and survivors of trauma. Previously, Chancellor served four churches in Texas for 33 years, then ran a Mental Health Department of Alan B. Polunsky Maximum Security prison which houses death row.