Inasmuch as ye have done it…

Inasmuch as ye have done it… March 26, 2011

The other day I was blessed to find and watch this video about a non-profit organization called Casey’s Cookies. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound recently paid a visit and put up this clip on their facebook page, which included footage of them hanging out with Casey and singing her favorite song with her at a concert — “He Touched Me”:


I’m not ashamed to say that once I had watched it a couple times, the tear glands were kicking in when she came up on stage to join them. Their singing at the beginning is beautifully exquisite and understated, but when Casey lends her voice, words can’t describe the emotional impact. Truly, this is His favorite song of all.
Something else that struck me: These guys treat her like royalty. When Ernie gently tells her, “We love you,” you believe him. “I got my picture with her,” he says. Not the other way around.
Now I know what some people would say (though I hope not one of them is among my readership): “Well yeah, it’s called ‘public relations,’ you idiot. Of course they come out of it looking generous and saintly—that’s the whole point.”
There are two reasons why I’m not looking at this video that way:
1. I’m not a supercilious jerk.
2. There is no reason whatsoever to impute the actions of these guys to self-serving motives. I realize that’s the default setting for some, but not for me. Why shouldn’t we view this as a simple act of Christian charity? Why shouldn’t we be genuinely moved at the picture of kindness we’re seeing here?
Ernie himself said it best: “We want nothing from you. We just want your organization to thrive.” They’re keeping the focus off of themselves and putting Casey and her family’s ministry in the spotlight. They have sent the clear message that none of this is about them: It’s about her and the work she is doing.
Charity does not put itself forward. It is not wrapped up with itself, but puts others in its place. I want publicly to thank Ernie Haase & Signature Sound for giving their fellow Christians a beautiful picture of what true charity looks like.
Thanks guys, for reminding me why I support your ministry. The music isn’t the half of it.


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